Jammu, Nov 4 (KNS): The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir, has destroyed approximately 500 kilograms of sweets found unfit for consumption and suspended two food business licences and two registrations during a special enforcement drive across Jammu division ahead of Diwali.

According to an official statement issued on Wednesday, food safety teams collected 56 samples of sweets, paneer, khoya, savouries and other food commodities from establishments across the division as part of intensified checks to prevent adulteration and ensure compliance with food safety standards.

The department said approximately 500 kilograms of sweets, including rasgulla, valued at Rs 79,500, were destroyed after being found unfit for human consumption.

During the inspections, enforcement teams also initiated legal proceedings against food business operators for violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, particularly sanitary and hygiene requirements prescribed under Schedule IV of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.

Officials said two food business licences and two registrations were suspended for violations of prescribed food safety requirements.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Besides, 11 challans were recommended under Section 56 of the Act, which provides for penalties of up to Rs 1 lakh for unhygienic or unsanitary processing or manufacturing of food. Four cases were also compounded.

The enforcement drive covered Jammu Municipal Limits, Jammu Rural, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri and Poonch.

The FDA said the inspections focused on checking the quality of festive food products, maintaining hygiene at food establishments and preventing the sale of adulterated or substandard commodities.

The department directed food business operators to maintain proper hygiene and strictly comply with prescribed food safety standards.

Consumers were also advised to purchase sweets and other food products from licensed establishments, check product labels and report suspected adulteration to the concerned food safety authorities.

The FDA reiterated that enforcement activities would remain focused on protecting public health and ensuring the availability of safe food products. (KNS)