SRINAGAR, March 28, 2025 – In a decisive move to ensure consumer safety, the Food Safety Team in Srinagar conducted a targeted raid on Thursday, March 27, 2025, seizing expired food items valued at approximately Rs 55,000 from a wholesaler’s premises in Saraf Kadal. The operation, carried out under the directives of Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, underscores the administration’s ongoing efforts to enforce food safety standards across the city.
Acting on a specific tip-off, the Food Safety Department swooped in on the wholesaler’s facility, uncovering a stockpile of expired goods, including milk and milk products. Among the seized items were products that had expired as far back as 2018, raising serious concerns about their potential health risks to consumers. The raid was led by Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Srinagar, Yameen Ul Nabi, who emphasized the gravity of the situation.
“During the inspection, we found expired goods stored alongside fresh supplies, which is a blatant violation of food safety norms,” said Yameen Ul Nabi. “The Food Business Operator (FBO) could not provide any satisfactory explanation for this negligence.” The team promptly confiscated the expired items to prevent their distribution in the market, averting a potential public health hazard.
The operation is part of a broader initiative by the Srinagar administration to conduct regular market inspections, ensuring that only quality food items reach consumers. The seized products, valued at Rs 55,000, were destroyed on-site, and the authorities have warned of stringent penalties under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) for those found exhibiting expired items for sale.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat reiterated the administration’s commitment to public safety. “We are intensifying our efforts to monitor food quality across Srinagar. No compromise will be tolerated when it comes to the health of our citizens,” he stated. The DC has directed the Food Safety Department to maintain vigilance and take strict action against violators.
Local residents have welcomed the crackdown, expressing relief at the proactive measures. “It’s alarming to think that expired food from years ago could still be on the shelves,” said Mohammad Aslam, a shopkeeper in the area. “Such inspections are crucial to protect us.”
The Food Safety Team has issued a stern warning to all Food Business Operators in the region, urging them to comply with safety regulations or face severe consequences. “Anyone found violating the provisions of the FSSA will be dealt with strictly under the law,” the department stated. With this seizure, the authorities have signaled their resolve to uphold food safety standards, promising more such drives in the coming weeks to safeguard public health in Srinagar.