Stale food, putrid meat on sale in Valley

SRINAGAR, JAN 10:

Fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs and meat are the keys to healthy living especially in urban areas. But Kashmir valley is running short of supply of essential commodities. People of valley allege that after snowfall business outlets have been engaged in selling the expired items.

People from various areas of Kashmir have alleged that their local grocery stores and supermarkets have stale food on their shelves with crossed expiry dates. The complaints received by Greater Jammu said that putrid meat and rotten edibles were being sold in the markets.

While talking to Greater Jammu, a local resident, Abdul Majeed from Kulgam said that he had gone to buy flour bags from a local market but to his utter surprise, he found that the bags were labeled with the expiry date of October 2012.

Another resident, Khalid Ahmad Shah from Baramulla said that the vegetables and fruits being sold after snowfall are rotten and very expensive. He said that there is no governance in our area, adding that on January 9, he bought some fruits and vegetables which were rotten, moldy and bruised.

Locals from Srinagar said that there are no fresh vegetables and fruits available in the market. People in Lal Chowk said that we don't have any option except taking home the expired provisions and foodstuff. 

"The people in valley are going through lot of problems in terms of expired and unhygienic products, not only expired food but recently surfaced scandal of food adulteration is also a serious concern", Kashmir Traders Federation, president, Mohd Yaseen told Greater Jammu.

On the other hand, Health Officer, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Dr Shafqat said that he alongwith his team kept vigil in the market to take action against those who are involved in selling outdated products. He said that four corn flake outlets were closed as they were using substandard oil. He also said that his team visited slaughter houses and butcher shops to check the quality of meat. 

Speaking exclusively to Greater Jammu about the post snowfall situation in valley, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan said that department will take strict action against the traders who are involved in such type of unscrupulous profiteering and black marketing. He said that a team would be constituted to check the food items across the valley. The Minister said, "Greater Jammu has brought this to our notice and we will take steps to nab the culprits". He further added that people need not to worry as government has kept enough stock available. He said that there is no dearth of ration, kerosene and LPG but some areas have got affected due to unprecedented snowfall.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam, Mir Jahangir alongwith his market checking squad paid a surprise visit in the markets on Thursday. During his visit four shops were sealed and R 25000 were realized as fine for not following the Food Safety Act and selling substandard food items. Market checking squad also destroyed stale food items.

Shopkeepers were also given warning to sell the products of high standard quality and to follow the provisions of Food Safety Act-2006.