Anantnag, March 11: Consumers in south Kashmir’s Anantnag have appealed to the Food Safety Department to conduct inspections of eateries and food outlets, alleging that expired frozen chicken and other outdated food items are being sold in local markets.
Locals said the markets in the district are once again witnessing the sale of expired and substandard food products, raising concerns about public health.
Residents alleged that frozen chicken past its expiry date is being sold in several eateries and shops, while authorities have not carried out regular inspections.
They said the situation has returned “to square one” despite controversies in the past regarding the sale of rotten meat in the district.
Last year, reports about rotten meat being sold in the markets had triggered widespread public outrage, prompting calls for strict monitoring of food items being supplied to restaurants and shops.
However, people said that little has changed since then and the Food Safety Department has not taken sustained measures to prevent the sale of expired or unsafe food items.
Locals have urged authorities to immediately launch market inspections and take strict action against those found selling expired or unsafe food products.
Food Inspector Zameer Ahmed said the department has taken note of the complaints raised by the public.
“We will send an inspection team to the market to verify the allegations and check the food outlets,” he said.
Locals said regular monitoring and strict enforcement of food safety regulations are necessary to ensure that people are not exposed to health risks due to expired or contaminated food items. [KNT]
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