In a determined push to safeguard public health, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Jammu & Kashmir has intensified its crackdown on food adulteration, completing 13,944 routine inspections across the region in 2025. The effort, aimed at ensuring safe, clean, and trustworthy food for every citizen, has resulted in multiple case registrations, prosecutions, and penalties against violators.
FDA Commissioner Smetha Sethi confirmed that officials collected 10,620 surveillance samples, significantly exceeding the annual target of 7,080. This exceptional achievement—over 150% of the expected goal—highlights the administration’s reinforced commitment to consumer protection.
In addition to routine surveillance, 1,423 risk-based inspections were conducted across the Union Territory, focusing on high-risk zones and vulnerable food categories.
To strengthen compliance among Food Business Operators (FBOs), the FDA issued 943 Improvement Notices under Section 32 of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act—surpassing the target of 625. These notices are crucial for enforcing hygiene standards, infrastructure upgrades, and responsible business practices.
Under the civil adjudication system (Section 30), the department initiated 718 prosecutions, with 671 cases already resolved. These decisions have led to penalties worth ₹84.33 lakh. Furthermore, 21 criminal cases involving unsafe food were filed, resulting in 10 convictions, including fines and imprisonment—sending a strong message that endangering public health is non-negotiable.
A special enforcement drive in November targeted adulterated ghee. Officials seized 80.78 kg of substandard stock. Out of 41 samples tested, 12 failed quality norms, prompting prohibition orders against the concerned manufacturers. The findings have been forwarded to FSSAI and respective states—Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Gujarat—for further action at the source.
During the Poly Pack Milk drive, 95 samples were tested, with only two failing standards, reflecting improved compliance in the dairy sector. Test results for 32 packaged drinking water samples are still awaited.
Looking forward, the FDA has proposed the establishment of two new state-of-the-art food testing laboratories and the procurement of 10 additional “Food Safety on Wheels” mobile testing vans. These initiatives intend to expand outreach, enhance real-time surveillance, and improve access to testing facilities in remote and rural regions.
