J&K FDA Inspects 395 Street Food Vendors, Imposes ₹50,500 Fine and Destroys 130 Kg Unsafe Food
By: Sheikh Mohammad Isa
The Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir, conducted a Union Territory-wide enforcement, inspection and awareness drive targeting street food vendors to strengthen compliance with food safety standards and protect consumers.
During the drive, 395 street food vendors were inspected across all districts of J&K. Officials checked personal hygiene, cleanliness of vending premises, safe food handling and storage, food-grade utensils and packaging, and the proper management of cooking oil. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
38 Cases Compounded, ₹50,500 Fine Imposed
The enforcement action resulted in 38 cases being compounded under Section 69 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with a cumulative fine of ₹50,500.
A further 68 cases were recommended for statutory action before the concerned Adjudicating Authorities, including Additional Deputy Commissioners of the respective districts.
Of these, 39 cases were recommended under Section 56, which deals with unhygienic or insanitary food processing or manufacturing and carries a penalty of up to ₹1 lakh.
Another 29 cases were recommended under Section 58 for violations involving non-food-grade utensils or packaging materials. Such violations can attract penalties of up to ₹2 lakh.
During the inspections, around 130 kg of unsuitable food and snack items were destroyed following the prescribed procedure.
92 Awareness Sessions Held
Alongside enforcement, the FDA conducted 92 awareness and sensitisation sessions for street food vendors across Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials advised vendors to maintain personal hygiene and clean vending areas, follow safe food handling and storage practices, and use food-grade utensils and packaging materials.
Vendors were also advised not to use newspapers or other non-food-grade materials for wrapping food, avoid unauthorised synthetic food colours, prevent cross-contamination and properly manage and dispose of used cooking oil.
75 Cooking Oil Samples Tested
The FDA also focused on the safe management and testing of Used Cooking Oil (UCO) using Digital Oil Testing Meters.
A total of 75 cooking oil samples were tested, and all were found to be within the permissible range. No sample recorded Total Polar Compounds (TPC) above the prescribed 25% limit during the drive.
The initiative aims to discourage the repeated use of degraded cooking oil and encourage responsible oil management among street food vendors.
The FDA, J&K, said street food vendors are an important part of the food supply chain and provide consumers with a wide range of local and traditional food items.
The department advised vendors to comply with food safety and hygiene requirements and cooperate with officials during inspections and awareness activities.
Consumers have also been urged to remain vigilant and report suspected unsafe or adulterated food through the toll-free helpline 104 or by email at cfsjandk.fnd@jk.gov.in.
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