J-K: 14 FIRs filed against food safety norms violations in Anantnag district

Srinagar, Sep 6 (PTI) Police have registered 14 FIRs against violations of food safety regulations and public health norms in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, an official said on Saturday.

A massive drive was launched to find restaurants and shopkeepers violating food safety regulations and public health norms, as part of continuous efforts to uphold public health standards, he said.

Police said several establishments were found to be operating in contravention of prescribed guidelines. Strict legal action has been initiated by various police stations across the district and 14 FIRs were registered in this regard, he said.

"All the cases have been registered under the relevant provisions of law applicable to food safety, public health, and hygiene standards," he added.

The official said further investigations are underway and defaulters will be dealt with strictly.

Jammu and Kashmir Police urges all food business operators to strictly adhere to the norms laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and other regulatory bodies, the official said.

Meanwhile, cases were also registered against shopkeepers for selling rotten and unhygienic raw food items including meat in Sopore area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

A police spokesperson said that in light of recent reports regarding the sale of rotten and unhygienic food items, police in Sopore intensified market inspections in collaboration with the food safety and other departments concerned, in the presence of executive magistrates.

During the drive at Watergam, unfit raw food was seized from the shops of Abdul Hameed Bhat and Hotel Heaven of Iqbal Rasool Tantray, the spokesperson said.

He said a case has been registered at Dangiwacha station.

At Sopore bus stand, Abid Ismail Bakhroo was found selling chicken in highly unhygienic conditions, with waste dumped in public areas posing serious health hazards, he said, adding a case has been registered against him at Sopore police station. PTI SSB RUK RUK