FSD to challenge ADCs in food adulteration cases

Srinagar, July 18: The Food Safety Department (FSD) seems unsatisfied over the penalties imposed by Additional Deputy Commissioners in substandard cases and would challenge them before the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal.

An official of the FSD said that it was not satisfied with the "meager" amount imposed as fine by ADCs in substandard food cases in the Valley. The ADCs are adjudicating officers to decide on the penalty in food adulteration cases. 

The official said that restaurants, traditional bakers, milk vendors, butchers, and various others who sell eatable items have been found 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 ADCs, who are adjudicating officers, have imposed lesser fine against gravity of 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.

The official said that they were framing a list of cases, which would be challenged before the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal Kashmir (FSAT).

"A list is also being compiled where we will challenge the ADC orders in substandard food cases," he said.

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

The official said that FSAT will hear the appeals against the orders of adjudicating officers.

"Anyone can challenge the orders of the ADCs who are adjudicating officers in imposing penalty in substandard cases. The FSD 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 company 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.