Food Safety Dept to challenge ‘lesser penalties’ imposed in food adulteration cases

Srinagar, Mar 14: Unsatisfied over imposing “lesser penalties”, the Food Safety Department would challenge the orders of additional deputy commissioners before the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal Kashmir (FSAT) in substandard food cases.

An official of the Food Safety Department said that they were not satisfied with the “meagre” amount imposed as fine by ADCs in substandard food cases in the Valley.

The ADCs are adjudicating officers to decide on the fine in food adulterated cases.

The official said that restaurants, traditional bakers, milk vendors, butchers, and various others, who sell eatable items, have been found for violating various provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. During various inspections, the official said that it was also found that “synthetic colours” were being used in many popular food items.

“But ADC, who are adjudicating officers, have imposed lesser fine against gravity of the cases,” the official said.

The official said that Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 was not being executed “properly” in the state.

The Act came into force across the country in August 2011. The Act was also to ensure improved quality of food for the consumers and censure misleading claims and advertisement by those in food business.

Assistant Commissioner Food Safety, Srinagar, Hilal Mir said that they were framing a list of cases, which would be challenged before the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal Kashmir (FSAT).

“There are already few cases in High Court that will be referred to FSAT. A list is also being compiled where we will challenge the ADC orders in sub-standard food cases,” Mir said.

The FSAT was made operational in 2017. Principal District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Yousuf Akhoon has been appointed its Presiding Officer.

Akhoon said the FSAT will hear the appeals against the orders of adjudicating officers.

“Anyone can challenge the orders of the ADC, who are adjudicating officers, in imposing penalty in sub-standard cases. The Food Safety Department is compiling list of cases for challenging the orders of adjudicating cases where meager amount has been imposed against the gravity of the case,” he said.

Giving an example in one of the cases, he said, “Fine was imposed against an outside company for selling adulterated milk. The said outside challenged the order. We decided the case and imposed Rs 5 lakh fine, more than penalty imposed by adjudicating officer keeping into consideration its gravity,” he said.