Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 16: Calling for strict action against violators, the J&K Hotel and Restaurant Association (JKHARA) today demanded an immediate ban on the entry of unlabelled frozen meat and chicken into J&K.
Addressing a press conference here, members of the association alleged that an “insufficient inspection mechanism” at the Lakhanpur entry point has been a major contributing factor to the supply of rotten and expired products.
Speaking on the occasion, Babar Choudhary, President of JKHARA, reiterated the demand for a ban on unbranded frozen meat and chicken entering J&K through Lakhanpur.
“Also, a fully functional and certified testing laboratory must be established immediately at the Lakhanpur check-post,” he said.
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“The laboratory should conduct real-time testing for meat freshness, expiry, hygiene, and compliance with food safety standards,” he said.
He added that suppliers involved in the distribution of rotten, expired, or misbranded meat should face immediate license cancellation, blacklisting from future supply contracts, and prosecution under applicable food safety and criminal laws.
Dr. Lateef Ahmad Lone, Senior Vice President of the association noted that the absence of a dedicated, well-equipped meat testing laboratory at Lakhanpur has hindered efforts to detect and prevent the entry of substandard meat products.
The association demanded that a multi-disciplinary Special Task Force (STF) be deployed at the entry point, comprising food safety officers, veterinary experts, and law enforcement personnel.
“Clearance from this task force should be mandatory for all meat consignments. Any consignment found unfit should be denied entry and returned to the source. Suppliers of such consignments should be blacklisted,” it said.
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