Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Dec 12 : The Jammu and Kashmir Food Safety Department has initiated a statewide sampling and testing operation following serious allegations by a ruling party legislator that a specific brand of eggs contains carcinogenic substances. The claims have sparked public anxiety and prompted urgent governmental intervention.
Commissioner of Food Safety for Srinagar, Yamin Un Nabi, speaking to Kashmir Convener said the action, urging consumers to avoid panic pending laboratory results. “The department is collecting samples of all eggs for analysis.
Reports are expected soon. Until then, the public should not rely on hearsay,” Nabi stated. He stated that during initial market surveys, officials had not yet located the specific brand in question.
The directive for an urgent investigation came from Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Satish Sharma, who demanded a report within 48 hours. This was in response to concerns raised by National Conference chief spokesperson and MLA, Tanvir Sadiq.
“Deeply concerned by reports of nitrofuran and nitroimidazole residues—strictly banned drugs for food-producing animals due to their carcinogenic and toxic effects—being detected in eggs,” Sadiq said.
He emphasized the gravity of the issue, noting eggs are a dietary staple for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and patients.
Medical experts clarified that while these antibiotics are used in poultry, India permits trace levels (below 75 micrograms per kg) based on scientific research.
The egg scare emerges amidst growing public disillusionment with food safety mechanisms.
Recent incidents involving rotten meat and other adulterated products have fueled a perception that enforcement is reactive, driven by complaints or social media outrage rather than proactive surveillance.
Critics argue the department must expand its monitoring network to prevent contaminated items from reaching the market. “Consumers expect proactive oversight, not raids triggered by alarms,” noted people through social media.
These recurring failures have raised fundamental questions about the integrity of Kashmir’s food supply chain and the efficacy of its regulatory framework.
In a related development, the Food Safety Department has banned the sale of Priyagold Butter Delite biscuits (Batch No. E25KPO2FB) in Anantnag district.
A lab test as per Kashmir Convener confirmed sulphite content exceeding permissible limits, posing a health risk. “Sale and manufacture are prohibited under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006,” stated Food Safety Officer Sheikh Zameer.
The controversy has also entered the religious sphere. During Friday sermons across major mosques and imambaras, including Markazi Imambara Budgam, religious leaders expressed profound concern.
Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosavi Al-Safavi, President of Anjuman-e-Shari Shian, cited Islamic injunctions requiring food to be not only halal but also pure and wholesome. “Modern research confirms these chemicals can cause cancer and cellular damage,” he stated, questioning the safety of market eggs.
Kashmir, renowned for its centuries-old culinary traditions like the Wazwan, now faces a crisis that pits commercial interests against public health. The situation demands urgent accountability: Who is responsible for these alleged safety compromises? How have regulatory mechanisms apparently faltered? From where does this suspect poultry originate, and why have violators seemingly operated with impunity?
As the valley grapples with the aftermath of the meat scandal, this new threat to a daily protein source underscores an urgent need for systemic overhaul. The public awaits not only the egg test results but also concrete, transparent actions to restore faith in the food they consume.
Nevertheless, Kashmir still imports an estimated 5.5 crore chickens annually from neighbouring states like Haryana and Punjab. Traders in Punjab alone reportedly supply over half a million eggs and 40,000 to 50,000 chickens daily to Jammu & Kashmir, at a daily cost of around Rs 5 crore.
Despite having over 33.50 lakh laying birds—over 90% in Kashmir—the Union Territory faces a deficit in both egg and meat production. Only 9.63 percent of the birds belong to an improved category, though the layer population has grown by 60 percent over four years. The sector currently contributes around 510 million eggs and 43.8 million kg of meat annually.
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