Suhail Rather
Bandipora, May 2: Residents across several villages in Bandipora district have raised serious concerns over the unchecked sale of expired and unhygienic packaged food items, especially snacks like Lays, Kurkure, and locally manufactured sweets, which are being sold to school-going children.
The disturbing trend has drawn strong reactions from parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals who are calling for immediate government intervention to curb the practice and ensure children's safety.
According to locals, the issue has been persisting for several months, particularly in villages such as Aloosa, Nadihal, Nathpora, Kaloosa, and Chitteybandy. Shopkeepers in these areas, especially those operating close to schools, are allegedly selling expired products without any fear of regulatory oversight. Even more worrying are reports of tobacco products being sold near school premises, in blatant violation of laws that prohibit the sale of such substances within 100 meters of educational institutions.
Health experts have expressed grave concern over the impact of expired food on children's well-being.
Dr. Jahangir Ali, a paediatrician at the District Hospital Bandipora, warned that children are especially vulnerable to foodborne illnesses due to their developing immune systems. He explained that consuming expired or improperly stored packaged food can lead to stomach infections, food poisoning, and allergic reactions, which may seem minor at first but could result in serious complications if ignored.
Parents in the affected areas are anxious and frustrated. Ghulam Ahmad Dar, a father from Nathpora Kaloosa, said that children frequently buy these snacks after school, and it was only recently that families discovered many of them were expired.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelHe stressed that the situation was unacceptable and could endanger an entire generation if not addressed urgently.
Teachers echoed similar sentiments. Zeenat Shafi, who teaches in a Bandipora school, pointed out that a shop located right next to their school gate openly sells expired chips and tobacco products. Despite filing complaints, she said, no official has come to inspect the premises or take corrective measures.
Local social activists have also stepped in, demanding action from the district administration. Mohammad Imran, a community leader, urged authorities to conduct unannounced inspections of village shops and to penalize violators sternly. He said that the presence of expired and harmful products in markets directly threatens the health of young students and needs to be dealt with seriously.
The matter has gained traction on local social media, with parents and community members sharing photos of expired snack packets and urging government departments to step in before the issue escalates into a full-blown health crisis. Many are also calling for awareness drives in schools to educate children about food safety and their consumer rights, in addition to regular checks by food safety officers.
With public outrage mounting, the people of Bandipora hope that authorities will listen to their concerns and take immediate steps to protect the health and well-being of schoolchildren across the district. (KNS)