By choosing public health actions over just rhetoric, the government in Kashmir has once again shown extraordinary commitment in getting rid of massive amounts of untagged and spoiled meat all across the region. This is not just a box-ticking administration exercise; it is a much needed and clear defensible barrier for the health and safety of anywhere from 1 million to 3 million people who were previously consuming untagged and decaying meat.
Images of public officials dramatically removing appropriate actions against publically irresponsible people in a publicly responsible food chain are reassuring reminders that the government in fact does a duty of care.
Eating untagged meat comes with great and immediate dangers in that it, along with abut 30 inconceivable unknowns about where the meat comes from, when it was processed, and the current condition of the meat? Economic sociopathy is rampant in our food systems but this practice is absurd.
Rotten meat contains numerous pathogens such as Clostridium perfringens that can only bring severe food poisoning, chronic health issues and augment our health systems.
This timely behaviour by the government is important to acknowledge for several reasons. First, it demonstrates sincere zero tolerance for never mind food structure behaviour against public health.
Surprise inspections and punishments sends public standing messages to unscrupulous trades that appropriate human life existence over coin, sustainability being forked back into social wellbeing. This also supports the suppressive deterrent exist, as survivors are interviewed in news one week at the public with police arrests and the next week no public deaths and no evidence of similar subsequent public health risk.
These actions not only empower those consumers who may become lost in the market and the lack of transparency, but reinforce the individuals right to food that is safe, hygienic and of good quality.
It builds public confidence in the overall food system, as well as in all of the legitimate businesses producing safe, healthy products.
The diligence in this work is a protection for the social and economic fabric in the Kashmir region; a healthy population is productive and employed patterns which leads to growth in the economy.
Moreover, when the administration protects food safety, it also protects the livelihoods of the job creators and underpins the tourism and the marketing of brand Kashmir, especially around food.
Although this is a bold first step, we will seek to encourage further and expanded steps such as; educating the public through awareness campaigns on safe meat identification, stronger and more public policy around the cold-chain for perishables, greater opportunities and assistance for vernacular and licensed butchers
