Jammu and Kashmir FDA Intensifies Food Safety Inspections Ahead of Diwali, Suspends Four Licences and Registrations

Ahead of the Diwali festivities, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) of Jammu and Kashmir has stepped up inspections across Jammu Division to ensure that food products meet prescribed safety and hygiene standards. The enforcement drive comes amid an anticipated rise in the production and sale of sweets and other festive food items.

During the inspections, food safety officials collected 56 samples of various products, including sweets, paneer, khoya and savouries, for quality assessment. Authorities also destroyed approximately 500 kg of unsafe sweets, including rasgullas, valued at nearly ₹79,500, to prevent their sale to consumers.

The inspections revealed violations of food safety regulations, particularly the hygiene and sanitation requirements outlined under Schedule IV of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.

Following these findings, the FDA suspended two food business licences and two registrations. Officials also recommended 11 challans under Section 56 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which provides for penalties of up to ₹1 lakh for unhygienic or unsanitary food processing and manufacturing. Four additional cases were compounded.

The enforcement campaign covered several districts, including Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri and Poonch. Inspection teams examined food quality, cleanliness at production and processing facilities, and compliance with established safety requirements.

The FDA has urged consumers to purchase food products from licensed establishments, examine product labels carefully and report suspected adulteration to the appropriate authorities.

The intensified inspections reflect the administration's efforts to prevent unsafe and substandard food products from reaching the market during the festive season.

04-11-2026