Srinagar, Sept 19: The Food Safety Department of Jammu and Kashmir has confirmed that several meat samples tested during recent inspections in Kashmir were unsafe for human consumption, with laboratory reports detecting banned synthetic colouring agents.
According to official data accessed by ETV Bharat, tests carried out at the National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad, and the FICCI Research and Analysis Centre (FRAC), New Delhi, found four meat and meat product samples adulterated with carmoisine, tartrazine, and erythrosine. These synthetic additives, prohibited under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011, are known for their severe health risks, including carcinogenic effects highlighted in multiple scientific studies.
In the first phase of testing, 57 samples were lifted from 11 districts. Reports for 18 have been received so far, with four declared unsafe and the rest conforming to standards. From Srinagar alone, 18 samples were collected, though results for 14 are still awaited. Separately, a frozen raw meat sample tested at the National Meat Research Institute, Hyderabad, was confirmed to be carabeef, derived from Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).
The samples under scrutiny included rista, kebab, goshtaba, chicken momos, fried chicken, raw fish, and cheese collected from Kupwara, Shopian, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Srinagar, Pulwama, Baramulla, Budgam, Anantnag, and Jammu.
Authorities said 834 inspections have been conducted across 13 districts, during which 1,677 kg of meat, chicken, fish, and dairy products were seized for checks. Srinagar accounted for the largest share, with 1,400 kg seized. Additionally, more than 11,000 kg of spoiled food was destroyed on the spot.
Enforcement measures have tightened, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) filing 27 cases and imposing fines of Rs 3.4 lakh. Erring Food Business Operators (FBOs) were fined a further Rs 84 lakh. Licences of nine FBOs, including well-known outlets such as Domino’s Pizza in Anantnag, Sunshine Foods in Srinagar, and Shaun Shahi Biryani in Anantnag, have also been suspended.
