Srinagar, Jul 21 (KNS): The Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir, has carried out 121 inspections of Food Business Operators (FBOs), including six dairy processing units, across 12 districts of the Union Territory as part of its ongoing food safety enforcement drive, an official said.
The inspections were conducted in Jammu, Reasi, Samba, Rajouri, Kathua, Srinagar, Anantnag, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kupwara, Baramulla and Budgam, the official told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS).
During the drive, 70 food samples were collected for analysis, including milk (21), spices (15), edible oil (10), paneer (06), prepared foods (05), cereal products (05), ghee (04), honey (02) and ice cream (02), he added.
The authority also collected 19 surveillance samples from ICDS and Public Distribution System (PDS) centres to monitor food quality and safety, while eight imported food samples were subjected to label scrutiny to verify compliance with Food Safety and Standards Regulations.
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Four FBOs were compounded under Section 69 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 for sanitary and hygiene violations, with a total penalty of ?4,000 imposed, the official said. Five Improvement Notices were issued for rectification of deficiencies observed during inspections.
Consumers have been advised to report suspected cases of unsafe or adulterated food through Toll-Free Helpline No. 104 or via email at cfsjandk.fnd@jk.gov.in.
Notably, the enforcement drive is part of the FDA's continuing efforts to ensure compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and its associated rules and regulations across the Union Territory. (KNS)