Check quality of meat: HC Authorities directed to lift samples from open market, file status report within 4 weeks

Srinagar, August 24

Observing that the supply of meat or mutton in the state is an important issue as it is consumed in large quantities, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the authorities concerned to take samples of the raw meat sold in the open market.
After lifting the samples of raw meat from the open market, the authorities concerned have been asked to submit a report in this regard to the court within four weeks.
The High Court is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking implementation of the food safety standards to check food adulteration in the state.
In the wake of adulteration of various food items and reports of unhygienic conditions in the food processing and manufacturing units, earlier on January 6, the High Court had sought details of the slaughter houses in all the districts of the state.
“The supply of meat in the state is an important issue because its consumption is high,” a Division Bench of the High Court observed in its orders passed this week and made available today.
The High Court had earlier issued directions to constitute a committee to suggest how to provide quality meat to the consumers. Te Bench observed that the committee submitted its report, recommending checking of sheep or goat on entry points and maintenance of hygiene in slaughter houses.
“The recommendations have been forwarded to the agency concerned. However, no report whether the recommendations by the committee in its form submitted or some modification were required to be incorporated, has not been stated,” the Bench said in its orders while directing the authorities concerned to file a status report in this regard by or before next hearing.
“Regarding samples of raw meat which is sold in open shops, no report has been filed. Accordingly, we direct that a separate status report be filed after lifting samples of raw meat which is sold in open shops and specification as laid down in the Act and the rules be kept in view,” the High Court said.
Similarly, a status report regarding private and public sector abattoirs should be filed before the court, the court said while directing the authorities concerned to file a status report in this regard within four weeks.
The High Court has also revealed that in the status report by the Chief Secretary filed on August 20, it has been highlighted that the Controller (Drug and Food Control Organisation) who was also appointed the Commissioner, Food Safety, J&K, has now been replaced by appointing Administrative Secretary of the Health and Medical Education as Commissioner in addition to his own duties.
“The respondents have expressed their inability to appoint an independent officer as Food Safety Commissioner,” the High Court observed in its orders while referring to the submission made in the status report.
In respect of the Food Safety Tribunal replacing the mechanism adopted by the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1994, the status report states, the matter has been taken up with the Finance Department for creation of the post of Presiding Officer of the rank of district and sessions judge and the allied staff.
“It is assured that the matter is given priority and it is under active consideration,” the court said.

Seized tobacco products destroyed in Kodungaiyur

 

The banned products seized over the past few weeks were disposed in a 12-foot-deep pit. 

 

The food safety and drug administration department on Saturday destroyed 2.6 tonnes of tobacco products confiscated in various parts of the city in the past few weeks.

The banned products seized from areas such as Wall Tax Road and Ayanavaram were destroyed following guidelines of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) after permission from Corporation commissioner Vikram Kapur. TNPCB had given guidelines on the safe disposal of the products in a 12-foot-deep pit filled with urea and cow dung. The plastic packaging of the products was removed earlier.

However, 16 tonnes of chewable tobacco products seized from Central Railway Station on August 3 by the food safety and drug administration department is yet to be destroyed. The products were transported by a train from Nizamuddin. Ever since the ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of carcinogenic chewable forms of tobacco such as gutka and pan masala was announced in May, trains and buses have been used to smuggle these products into the State. Recently, several banned tobacco products found their way into retail outlets in the city.

Following crackdowns on commercial establishments across the city, the sale of gutka and pan masala has reduced considerably. However, many wholesalers continue to store them in residential complexes, selling them to regular customers.

The seized products stored in Central Railway Station are likely to be destroyed at the dumping yard next week.

Food safety officials plan to intensify an awareness drive among food business operators and disseminate information on the ban.

JMC lifts milk, cheese samples for quality check

Jammu, August 24
The health wing of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) today raided several milk and cheese shops in the Dogra Hall and Canal Road areas of the city and lifted several samples for testing.
Officials said they had received several complaints from residents about adulteration of milk and its products and so, they had decided to conduct a surprise check.
A team led by Health Officer Dr Vinod Sharma checked these products on various parameters. These were found to be below the standards marked by the civic body.
City residents have been concerned about the poor quality of milk and its products, which leads to various health issues.
Though in the absence of modern equipment and manpower, the fight against adulteration is becoming a losing one for JMC officials, but in the recent months, a number of dairy owners have been penalised for playing with the health of people.
Sharma said, "Samples have been sent for analysis and shopkeepers have been warned against violating rules. We are waiting for results so that action can be taken."
Dr Sharma said despite the shortage of technical manpower, priority would be given to getting the samples tested as soon as possible.
Officers also inspected various eateries in the Jewel Chowk, Dogra Chowk areas. The move was aimed at checking the hygiene level of the premises ahead of Janamashtami. Besides the inspection, the team spread awareness regarding the Food Safety & Standard Act, 2006, to restaurant owners and visitors at these eateries.
"They (owners) were directed to maintain proper hygienic conditions at their eateries. The food business operators assured the authorities that irregularities, if any, would be removed within a short span of time and there would be no lapse from their side in the future," said Food Safety Officer Parmod Kumar.
A survey conducted by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India in 2012 had found that 83 per cent of milk sold in various districts of the state was not safe for consumption. The study had found that most common adulteration in the state was in glucose and skimmed milk products.

High Court seeks status report on quality of raw meat

Can’t Appoint Separate Commissioner For Food Safety: Govt
Srinagar, Aug 24: Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the government to file status report on raw meat sold in open shops after lifting samples in keeping with prevention of Food Safety and Standard Act 2006.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice M M Kumar and justice D S Thakur asked the government to file a report in this regard after it observed with dismay the government’s failure to file a report on raw meat sold in open shops.
The Court also directed the government to file status report within four weeks with regard to private and public sector abattoirs.
Earlier, in its order the court had directed the government to constitute a committee to suggest how to provide quality meat to the consumers till an abattoir was established in Kashmir.
In its status report the government has stated that the committee has submitted its report, recommending checking of sheep/goat on entry points, maintenance of hygiene in slaughter houses saying the recommendations have been forwarded to the concerned state agency.
The court, however, said no report on the recommendations by the committee or any requirement of modification, if required, has been pointed out in the report.
The government in its status report has said the Controller (Drug and Food Control Organization) who was also appointed Commissioner Food Safety J&K has now been replaced by Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department as Commissioner in addition to his own duties.
The government has however expressed its inability to appoint an independent officer as Food Safety Commissioner viewing that there were number of issues common under the Food Safety Act and the rules within the Health Department. With regard to Food Safety Tribunal replacing the mechanism adopted by the prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1994, the government in its status report said the matter has been taken up with Finance Department for creation of post of Presiding Officer of the rank of District and Sessions Judge with the allied staff. The report said the matter was under active consideration of the government.