Srinagar, Aug 8 : Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Science & Technology, Information Technology, Youth Services & Sports, and ARI & Training, Satish Sharma, on Friday issued a warning against the supply of substandard food items in Jammu and Kashmir, assuring strict legal action against violators.
The Minister made the remarks during a series of surprise inspections at food godowns and storage facilities across Srinagar, aimed at reviewing the quality of food being distributed to the public.
“We have seized a truck carrying rice and stopped its consignment in Srinagar,” Sharma told reporters. “Our technical teams will collect samples and send them to accredited laboratories for testing. Anyone found guilty, whether a local or outsider, supplier or transporter will face strict action under the law.”
Sharma underscored that public health remains the government’s top priority, adding that the administration will not tolerate the distribution of unsafe or low-quality food.
“Supplying unsafe food is equivalent to playing with human lives. We will not allow such practices under any circumstances,” he said.
The Minister also commended the Food Safety Department for its recent actions against the sale of unhygienic meat and reaffirmed that all consumables would be subjected to scientific testing before being cleared for public distribution.
“Scientific testing will determine the quality of these food items, and action will be taken strictly based on the findings,” he added.
He further noted that enforcement teams are active across both Jammu and Kashmir regions to monitor food safety, warning traders and suppliers to adhere strictly to safety and hygiene norms.
“Anyone compromising food safety standards will be dealt with firmly and according to the law,” Sharma said.
The Minister also urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any instances of substandard or unsafe food being sold in the market, assuring prompt action from the government.(KNS)
