Committee on Petitions reviews food adulteration; calls for state-of-the-art labs.

SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 23(PTK): The Committee on Petitions of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today convened its meeting in the Legislative Assembly Secretariat, Srinagar, under the Chairmanship of Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah, to deliberate upon adulteration of essential food commodities within Jammu and Kashmir.The meeting was attended by legislators Mir Mohammad Fayaz,  Javaid Riyaz (Bedar), Dr. Sajjad Shafi.Chairman Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah said that adulteration of essential food commodities is a grave public health concern linked to daily lives of citizens. He directed the department to maintain zero tolerance, scale up inspections, ensure timely testing, fill up vacant posts, strengthen laboratories, expedite disposal of cases through Adjudicating Authorities and intensify IEC activities under Mission Safe Food. He called for establishment of a state of the art laboratory both in Jammu and Kashmir regions for effective enforcement and timely testing of food samplesThe Commissioner, Food and Drugs Authority J&K, Khalid Jahangir presented a comprehensive Status Report comprising overview of organization, staff strength, updated ATR on recommendations of the Committee, ATR on directions issued on 03.08.2026, IEC activities and key highlights of enforcement as per FSSAI mandate. On enforcement, it was informed that 11,720 inspections have been conducted with 6,259 enforcement and 2,508 surveillance samples lifted and 5,179 samples tested through MFTVs during 2026-27 till October. Besides, special enforcement drives from April to October 2026 were conducted on fresh vegetables, packaged drinking water, nutraceuticals, edible oils and fats, ghee, honey, milk and milk products, spices, caffeinated drinks, meat products, bakery products and prepared food.Regarding Petition number 2 about alleged encroachment of land at Khimber, Tehsil Hazratbal, Srinagar, the Committee directed the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar to verify the revenue records, examine the ground situation and furnish a comprehensive report on the alleged encroachments . It stressed the need to protect government and private land and take appropriate action as per law after due verification.The meeting was attended by Joint Commissioner Food Safety, ADC Srinagar, SDM Chadoora, Food Safety Officers, State Nodal Officer FDA and officers of the Assembly Secretariat.