The Jammu and Kashmir government has imposed an immediate ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution, transportation, and sale of frozen and chilled meat products that fail to comply with statutory safety and labelling requirements under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The order was issued by the Commissioner of Food Safety, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, following extensive inspections conducted by the Food Safety Wing of the Drug and Food Control Organisation across multiple districts. During the inspections, large quantities of rotten, decomposed, and unlabelled meat products were found being stored and circulated in several locations. Officials said the seized material fell under the category of “unsafe food” as defined in Section 3(1)(zz) of the FSS Act and was destroyed on the spot as per legal procedures.
A copy of the prohibitory order, states that the discovery of widespread violations in the handling and storage of frozen and chilled meat has created a “health risk condition” across the Union Territory, warranting urgent preventive action.
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The seized products were found without key labelling details required under the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. These include batch or lot number, manufacturing and expiry dates, storage conditions, name and address of the manufacturer, FSSAI licence number, and the mandatory non-vegetarian symbol. Officials said several packages either carried incomplete information or had labels that were illegible, violating Regulations 4(1), 6 and 9 of the said framework.
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The order also cited multiple breaches of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, which mandate strict temperature and hygiene standards. These include maintaining frozen food at -18°C or below, storing chilled meat at 0–4°C, and ensuring raw meat and seafood are stored separately from processed food.
The Commissioner of Food Safety said that many establishments lacked proper cold chain infrastructure, temperature monitoring systems, and digital recordkeeping of storage conditions, leading to contamination risks. “It was found that several units were transporting and storing meat under unhygienic and uncontrolled temperature conditions, posing a direct threat to consumer safety,” the order reads.
In light of these findings, the Commissioner reiterated minimum statutory requirements for handling and distribution of frozen and chilled meat products. Frozen items must remain stored and transported at -18°C or below, while chilled meat must be maintained between 0°C and 4°C at all times. Frozen meat must display a “date of freezing” and cannot be sold beyond twelve months from that date.
The order also directed e-commerce and retail delivery platforms to ensure that perishable meat products carry at least 30 percent of their shelf life or 45 days before expiry, whichever is earlier. Additionally, storage and transport facilities are required to install calibrated temperature monitoring systems and maintain verifiable records to ensure traceability.
The Commissioner further emphasized that every package of meat must clearly indicate the species of the animal, such as goat, buffalo, or chicken, and that manufacturers must strictly adhere to FSSAI-approved packaging, labelling, and storage practices.
Under Section 30(2) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, the Commissioner of Food Safety is empowered to prohibit, in the interest of public health, the manufacture, storage, or sale of any food article for a period up to one year. Invoking this authority, the Commissioner concluded that the prevailing conditions warranted an immediate preventive measure to protect consumers.
Officials said the order serves as both a corrective and deterrent step against unsafe food practices. “The aim is not merely punitive but preventive—to ensure that no unsafe or mislabelled meat product enters the market or reaches consumers,” said an officer involved in the enforcement drive.
The Food Safety Department has directed all district-level officers to ensure strict enforcement and continuous surveillance across retail, wholesale, and cold storage facilities. Surprise inspections and sampling will continue in the coming days to ensure compliance.
The government has appealed to the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspected cases of unsafe or mislabelled food to the nearest Food Safety Office. Officials assured that violators will face strict action under Chapter IX of the FSS Act, including prosecution and cancellation of operating licences.
