Food Safety Dept conducts market inspection

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 10: The Food Safety and Standards Department today realized Rs. 4500 from eight butchers who were caught violating the sanitary and hygienic criteria of the Food Safety and Standards Act during a market checking drive in Srinagar.
A spokesperson of the department said on the direction of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, a joint team of Food Safety Officers, Assistant Veterinary Surgeons from the Department of Sheep Husbandry, and officers of Legal Metrology conducted a special drive to check the quality of meat and hygiene of butcher shops under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Srinagar.
“During this drive, eight butchers were found to be in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act’s sanitary and hygienic criteria, and cases against them will be filed in the competent court as soon as feasible”, he said, adding that a fine of Rs 4500 was also recovered on the spot for breaking the Legal Metrological norms.
He said that butchers were also told to utilize stainless steel equipment and blades, as well as a decent quality chopping board when processing meat. “Commissioner Food and Drugs Administration J&K Shakeel Ur Rehman has directed all food industry operators, particularly chicken vendors, butchers, and Nanwais, to maintain a high standard of hygiene or face action under the Food Safety and Standards Act”, he said.