Srinagar, Oct 06 : The Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir, has inspected 395 street food vendors across all districts of the Union Territory as part of a UT-wide enforcement and awareness drive, compounding 38 cases and imposing a cumulative fine of ?50,500, officials said.
The drive, aimed at ensuring compliance with food safety standards and the availability of safe, hygienic food to consumers, focused on personal hygiene of food handlers, sanitary conditions of vending premises, safe storage and handling of food, use of food-grade utensils and packaging, and proper management of cooking oil.
According to an official statement, 68 cases have been recommended for statutory action before the Adjudicating Authorities — Additional Deputy Commissioners of the concerned districts. This includes 39 cases under Section 56 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which carries a penalty of up to ?1,00,000 for unhygienic processing or manufacturing of food, and 29 cases under Section 58, which provides for a penalty of up to ?2,00,000 for using non-food-grade utensils or packaging materials.
About 130 kg of unsuitable food and snack articles were destroyed as per prescribed procedure.
Officials said 92 awareness and sensitisation sessions were conducted across the UT, educating vendors on personal hygiene, cleanliness, safe food handling, avoidance of non-food-grade wrapping materials and newspapers, prohibition of unauthorised synthetic food colours, prevention of cross-contamination, and proper disposal of used cooking oil.
Special focus was laid on Used Cooking Oil (UCO) management, with 75 oil samples tested using Digital Oil Testing Meters. All samples were found within the permissible range, with no instance of Total Polar Compounds exceeding the prescribed limit of 25 per cent.
The department intensified inspections over the past week in view of the large number of consumers associated with street food establishments, conducting 519 inspections, particularly near religious shrines, prominent markets and other high-footfall areas. During these, 23 cases were filed under Sections 56 and 58, while 17 were compounded under Section 69, attracting a total fine of ?21,000.
The FDA reiterated that street food vendors form an important part of the food supply chain and advised them to proactively comply with food safety and hygiene norms and cooperate with enforcement officials.
Consumers can report suspected unsafe or adulterated food products on the Toll-Free Helpline No. 104 or email at cfsjandk.fnd@jk.gov.in. (KNS)
