J&K ranked third in food adulteration in north India

One of every 5 samples found contaminated, Rs 57L fine in 1 yr

JAMMU: With one out of every five processed foods found contaminated, Jammu and Kashmir stands at third rank among the northern States in food adulteration with 19.4 percent samples of processed foods failing to meet the norms of Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act.

“As many as 701 samples of processed food samples found adulterated in state during last fiscal year 2018-19. With these numbers the Jammu and Kashmir stands at third rank among northern states,” an official source said. 

He said that commissioners of Food Safety were regularly conducting inspections, surveillance and enforcement drives in food processing units across the State to ensure compliance with laid down standards.

“In cases where samples were found to be non-conforming to the provisions of Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, and Rules and regulations made there under, penal action has been initiated against the defaulting food business operators (FBOs) as per the provisions of FSS Act, 2006, and rules and regulations made there under,” he said. 

“During the inspections and enforcement drives, the authorities analyzed 3600 sample of processed food in Jammu and Kashmir from April 2018 to March 2019. Out of the total sample analyzed 19.4 percent (701) were found adulterated,” an official source told The News Now.

In northern states, Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 11807 food samples found contaminated followed by Punjab with 3403 samples. In Haryana, 569 samples were found adulterated, 485 in Delhi and 43 in Himachal. Only 30 samples were found adulterated in Chandigarh, which is lowest in the northern states. 

“In this regard 698 civil cases were initiated across Jammu and Kashmir, which is again third highest in northern states. However, no criminal cases have been registered in Jammu and Kashmir while other northern states have witnessed significant number of such cases,” he added.

The News Now learnt that a total of 57.18 lakh rupees were raised from 466 penalties last year in Jammu and Kashmir. In northern states Uttar Pradesh has penalized 55226 people, which is highest and generated Rs 15.89 crore and Punjab has generated 1.47 crore without any penalties.