Jammu, Sept 16: The Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), J&K, in coordination with Jammu Police, has seized and subsequently destroyed around 600 kg of paneer being transported from Punjab after finding deficiencies in temperature control, labelling and traceability during an enforcement operation in Jammu.
Acting on specific information, the Food Safety Team, Jammu, intercepted a passenger sleeper bus arriving from Punjab and found around 20 cartons of paneer being transported without adequate temperature-control arrangements and requisite labelling and traceability particulars, including details of the supplier and consignee.
The consignment, valued at around ₹1.50 lakh, was seized and a legal sample was drawn and sent to the designated Food Laboratory for analysis as per procedure.
“Considering the perishable nature of the commodity and the observed transportation conditions,” the FDA said, the seized paneer was subsequently taken to the designated dumping yard of the Jammu Municipal Corporation, where around 600 kg was disposed of and destroyed in the presence of the concerned authorities.
The FDA said food business operators dealing with perishable commodities are required to comply with prescribed requirements concerning safe transportation, temperature control, hygiene, labelling and traceability.
The department also said it had recently conducted food safety inspections of hotels and restaurants across J&K as part of its enforcement drive.
A total of 229 hotels and restaurants were inspected, during which 124 food samples covering commodities such as milk and milk products, spices, edible oils and prepared food were lifted and sent to NABL-accredited laboratories for analysis.
During the inspections, 38 Improvement Notices were issued to food business operators over violations of prescribed sanitary and hygienic requirements.
The FDA further said five cases were filed under Section 56 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which provides for a penalty of up to ₹1 lakh, while 29 cases were compounded under Section 69, with a total fine of ₹50,000 imposed.
The department has directed Designated Officers and Food Safety Officers to continue inspections and sampling of hotels, restaurants and other food establishments and take action against violations in accordance with law.
The FDA also advised food business operators to ensure compliance with requirements relating to food safety, sanitation, hygiene, storage, handling and preparation of food.
Consumers have been asked to report suspected unsafe or adulterated food through the FDA helpline 104 or by email at cfsjandk.fnd@jk.gov.in.
