People aghast over food adulteration in city markets

Srinagar, Feb 21: With not standing its toll claims, Food Safety Department has failed check the adulterated food items openly sold in city markets, violating Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA).

Commuters from different areas on Friday told JKNS that shopkeepers, restaurants owners, vendors and bakery outlets are using substandard food items to grab the money from the general public.

A group of people at Batamaloo old bus stand said the restaurants and hotels are violating openly food safety laws. They are using soda mixture with the rice which has many side effects, the group said.

They said they use “synthetic colours” in many food items and that are toxic for their health.Zeeshan Mir a commuter at Lal Chowk told JKNS that vendors at evening are using substandard material preparing food items, causing health problems.He said people should stand up and raise voice on these issues which are of immense importance to our society. The Government has become mute spectator on this grave issue and is not taking action against the defaulters, he said.

An official at Food Safety Jammu and Kashmir told JKNS that “our teams are continuously checking the markets. Khan said that anybody found violating the set rules will be dealt with strictly. The violators will be penalized and his license will be canceled,” the official said.

“Either they must follow guidelines or they will be penalized, whether it may small or big outlet. They should ensure better facilities to the people,” the official said.As per the official, the buyers should also buy items after proper check. He appealed people to inform them immediately if they found unhygienic food stuff being sold in the market.