FDA Shuts Down Dairy Facility in Pulwama Over Hygiene Issues

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) of Jammu and Kashmir has issued a prohibition order against a dairy processing facility in the Talangam area of Pulwama district. This action comes after an inspection revealed significant violations of hygiene and sanitation standards, specifically those outlined in Schedule IV of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.

The inspection was carried out by a Food Safety Officer from Pampore and documented that the facility, operated by local entrepreneur Suhail Maqbool, was not adhering to mandatory sanitary requirements. In response, the Designated Officer for Food Safety ordered an immediate halt to all manufacturing and sales activities at the site, highlighting the direct risk to public health caused by the unsanitary conditions.

The owner of the facility has been instructed not to resume operations until all identified deficiencies are corrected and the facility complies fully with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This regulatory action is part of a broader initiative by the FDA in Jammu and Kashmir to address high-risk food commodities, focusing particularly on perishable dairy and sweet manufacturing units.

In recent weeks, the FDA has intensified its efforts, conducting multiple raids and closing down substandard processing units across south Kashmir. These actions aim to eliminate chemical adulteration and improper handling practices within the regional food supply chain.

To support these efforts, the FDA has encouraged public assistance in identifying cases of adulterated, unsafe, or unhygienic food. Consumers are urged to report such cases through a toll-free helpline (104) or via an official email channel. The administration has reiterated its commitment to ongoing compliance checks across all districts to protect public health and restore consumer confidence in local food products.