 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 7: Dr Varinder Sharma, Co-convener, Health Cell, J&K BJP, today raised serious concern over the rampant and unchecked food adulteration and extreme unhygienic conditions prevailing in and around eateries across Jammu and Kashmir, warning that the situation poses a grave risk to public health, particularly with the festive season already underway.
Dr Sharma pointed out that unchecked storage practices extend even to packaged food items such as bread, chocolates and confectionery, which are routinely left exposed to unsanitary conditions. With the monsoon and festive season now running concurrently, he called upon the three concerned departments - the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), the Food & Drugs Administration (FDA) and the Legal Metrology Department - to adopt a proactive, rather than reactive, approach. Dr Sharma questioned the shelf life of five days or more being claimed for bread and buns, calling it simply impossible under normal conditions during peak summer. He asked why expiry dates are being repeatedly extended and where consumer rights stand in such circumstances, terming the use of unhealthy preservatives at the cost of consumer health as wholly unacceptable.
He demanded a rigorous and sustained checking routine to collect samples and inspect kitchens and storage areas of all hotels, restaurants and sweet shops, irrespective of size. "Stringent action within the prevailing laws, even against a few, will act as a strong deterrent for others," he said, adding that since this is a matter of public health, all data pertaining to inspections and test reports must be placed in the public domain. He highlighted that wherever raids have been conducted, even five and seven-star hotels have been found falling short of prescribed hygiene norms, and questioned what is preventing the concerned departments from conducting such raids on a regular basis. He further highlighted that consignments of synthetic paneer, khoya and ghee get confiscated once a year only. He questioned why no regular, random checks are undertaken.
Citing complaints from numerous consumers, Dr Sharma referred to unhygienic conditions in and around popular outlets, including the alleged use of toilet tap water, and street vendors relying on unsafe tank water, exposing consumers to waterborne diseases such as typhoid, diarrhoea and jaundice.
Lamenting the continued absence of the concerned authorities during festive season, Dr Sharma urged a proactive approach to safeguard public food safety, insisting that every violator be named and shamed. "Unless the departments act decisively, consumers' health will remain at constant risk," he warned. |
