Abdul Rahim Rather, Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, on Friday urged the government to strengthen the legal framework to effectively tackle food adulteration, as members raised concerns over the large-scale seizure of rotten meat and sub-standard cheese across the Union Territory.
Responding to a clubbed question raised by legislators of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, Health Minister Sakeena Itoo informed the House that more than 12,183.5 kilograms of rotten meat, valued at over ₹29.19 lakh, had been destroyed during 1,676 inspections conducted across Jammu and Kashmir during the financial year 2025–26 up to December 2025.
She further stated that 7,665 kilograms of adulterated cheese worth over ₹16.32 lakh were seized in the Jammu region.
According to the minister, authorities collected 144 samples of meat and meat products and 173 samples of cheese for laboratory testing within and outside the Union Territory. Reports for all 144 meat samples have been received, with one declared sub-standard and 17 found unsafe. Of the 173 cheese samples, 157 reports have been received so far, of which 47 were declared sub-standard and one unsafe.
Itoo acknowledged a shortage of technical staff in both food-testing laboratories located in Srinagar and Jammu. She noted that against 19 sanctioned posts in each lab, 11 remain vacant. The 22 vacant posts will be referred to recruiting agencies once recruitment rules are finalized.
To curb food adulteration and safeguard public health, the Food Safety Department has intensified enforcement by conducting regular inspections, testing samples through notified laboratories, and initiating strict action against violators. These measures include suspension or cancellation of licences, penalties, and prosecution.
The minister added that action has already been initiated against 18 food business operators found selling unsafe meat and meat products in various districts, including Srinagar and Jammu, with most cases currently under process.
