Srinagar, Sep 10 (KNS): The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir, has found 35 food samples non-compliant with prescribed labelling requirements during a special enforcement drive conducted across all districts of the Union Territory.

Officials said 455 food samples were scrutinised during the drive, which focused on compliance with the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020.

Notices have been issued to the concerned food business operators (FBOs), directing them to rectify the deficiencies within the stipulated period. Further action will be taken in accordance with law in cases of non-compliance, officials said.

The scrutiny covered packaged food products including spices, edible oils, dairy products, bakery and confectionery items, honey, rice, beverages, coffee, dry fruits and other food articles.

Officials examined labels for mandatory declarations, including the name and nature of the food, ingredients, nutritional information, batch or lot number, date of manufacture or packing, best-before or expiry date, maximum retail price, manufacturer or packer details, FSSAI licence or registration number and vegetarian or non-vegetarian logo.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Health, nutritional and other claims appearing on food labels were also examined under the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018.

The concerned FBOs were directed to remove or rectify claims found to be misleading or not in conformity with regulatory requirements.

Where violations are established, penal action will be initiated under the relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, officials said.

Under Section 52 of the Act, a penalty of up to Rs 3 lakh may be imposed for misbranded food, while Section 53 provides for a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh for misleading advertisements. Section 61 provides for a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh for furnishing false information.

The concerned Designated Officers and Food Safety Officers have been directed to ensure compliance by FBOs and initiate further proceedings, including adjudication or prosecution, wherever warranted.(KNS)