Budgam, Nov 14: Around 1,600 kilograms of deteriorated meat was seized at Budgam Railway Station after Railway Police noticed a suspicious consignment leaking blood and emitting a foul smell, prompting an alert to the Food Safety Department.
The meat was subsequently examined by veterinary officials, who declared the entire consignment unfit for human consumption due to its highly deteriorated condition and potential health risks.
SHO Railway Police Budgam, Baynazir Iqbal, said the veterinary doctor issued a certificate confirming that the meat was unsafe for human consumption.
“An FIR (No. 05) has been registered under Section 271 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigation is underway to identify those responsible for transporting and handling the consignment,” she said.
Iqbal said the consignment was unmarked and had not been booked in the name of any identifiable person. Police are also questioning railway authorities to ascertain how the consignment was accepted without proper documentation.
She said the transportation of meat requires valid documentation, including slaughterhouse, veterinary and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) certificates, along with adequate refrigeration arrangements to maintain the prescribed temperature of minus 18 degrees Celsius or below.
“However, the seized meat had arrived in ordinary packaging without ice or any refrigeration arrangement,” she added.
Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Budgam, Mufti Umar, said the department received a call from Railway Police at around 3 pm on Friday, following which a team was dispatched to the railway station.
“On inspection, the meat was found in a highly deteriorated condition. The containers were leaking blood and emitting a foul smell. The consignment had also not been transported under the required frozen conditions of minus 18 degrees Celsius or below,” he said.
Umar said a Veterinary Surgeon examined the meat and issued a certificate declaring it unfit for human consumption. The findings were subsequently verified by the Food Safety team, including the Food Analyst and officials of the Mobile Food Testing Van.
He said a Magistrate deputed by the district administration issued directions for the disposal of the seized meat to ensure it did not enter the public distribution channel.
The disposal process was being carried out in the presence of the Tehsildar, Executive Officer of the Municipal Committee Budgam and Food Safety Department officials.
Umar urged people to report suspicious food consignments to the department, saying it remained committed to safeguarding public health and ensuring food safety.
