Substandard dates flood markets

Srinagar, July 16

At a time when dates are selling like hotcakes in the ongoing fasting month of Ramadan, several vendors and shopkeepers have been found selling substandard dates and tampering with package labels.

Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Health Officer Dr Rubeena Shaheen said while conducting market checks of various areas along with a team of food safety officers, they found expiry labels of several branded packaged dates tampered with. She said some dates were also found substandard.

While the SMC team destroyed the seized items, Shaheen said they would intensify the drive during the fasting month as dates are consumed in tonnes here.

She said they had raided marketplaces of Soura, Nowhatta and Koker Bazaar and would continue raids at other marketplaces. The Health Officer urged the general public to remain cautious and check the expiry labels before purchasing dates. She said expired dates could pose serious health risks.

Pertinently, dates are consumed mostly during Iftar (fast breaking) time and these days the markets are flooded with dates from all over, including Pakistan, Iran and Middle East.

The most popular variety of dates is Ajwa, which is imported from Saudi Arabia and sells for around Rs 2,500 a kg. Other popular varieties are Safwy, Mabroom, Majdool, Naboot, Helwah, Khudry and Shurwa.

However, these dates are not directly imported to Kashmir, but first shipped to Mumbai and Goa.

The traders also receive stock from Delhi and Amritsar, which are of low quality and are mostly sold in the open by street vendors.