Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar,(DD): The Jammu and Kashmir Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a stern warning to all businesses dealing in frozen raw meat, chicken, and meat products, directing strict adherence to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) norms.
The public notice makes compliance mandatory for manufacturers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, cold storage operators, transporters, and even e-commerce platforms. Officials have barred the sale of meat products without proper labelling and laid down strict storage requirements — frozen products must be kept at -18°C or below, while chilled storage at 4°C is permitted only for up to four days.
The FDA has cautioned that violations will invite action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with penalties ranging from fines up to ₹10 lakh to imprisonment of up to six years in cases involving unsafe food. Authorities have also empowered inspectors to seize unsafe stock.
Reiterating its zero-tolerance policy, the department recalled that over 12,000 kg of sub-standard meat was destroyed during recent inspections. Officials emphasised that the crackdown would continue to safeguard public health(DD)