During the drive, Food Safety teams carried out 213 inspections of retail milk vendors across all districts and lifted 170 enforcement samples of loose milk for quality and safety testing at NABL-accredited laboratories, they said.

 

The samples were collected from Jammu, Samba, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Udhampur, Kathua, Srinagar, Anantnag, Bandipora, Budgam, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama. In addition, 10 samples of other high-risk food commodities were also lifted for testing, officials added.

 

Officials said milk and milk products have been accorded priority under the FDA's surveillance activities given their perishable nature and widespread consumption. The special drive was aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight over the quality and safety of such products available in the market.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

 

Action was also initiated against erring vendors during the drive. Three Food Business Operators (FBOs) were compounded under Section 69 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and a total penalty of ?5,000 was imposed for violations, officials said. Five Improvement Notices were issued to other operators for rectifying deficiencies related to sanitary and hygienic requirements.

 

The FDA has said such focused enforcement and sampling drives will continue across the Union Territory, particularly for high-risk commodities like meat and meat products, sweets, and bakery items. Appropriate action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, will be taken against those found violating prescribed standards, it added.

 

The public has been advised to remain vigilant while purchasing milk and milk products and report any suspected instance of adulteration or substandard food through the toll-free helpline number 104 or via email at cfsjandk.fnd@jk.gov.in. (KNS)