Packed chicken kebabs declared unsafe for humans

The Jammu and Kashmir Food Control Organisation Tuesday declared packed chicken kebabs being sold in Kashmir as “unsafe” for consumption as the food analyst report has found the sample of kebabs lifted from the market containing chicken skin, feathers, charcoal and other odourable items.

The Food control organisation after receiving complaints swung into action and sealed samples of the chicken kebab and sent it for analysis to Food Analyst for fact finding.

The report accessed by us reveals that: “The sample contains maximum skin pieces, feathers, charcoal, discoloured onion pieces, masoor daal with objectionable odour.”

“There was a mould growth, the sample also contained added coloring matter cormoisine,” the report reads adding that following the disclosure the chicken kebabs are being declared as “unsafe under section 3(22) sub section (vii) and misbranded.”

The packaged chicken kebabs are being manufactured from outside the state; however in Kashmir it has gained huge market due to its cheaper rate. As per dealers, the sale of the item had witnessed manifold increase over last couple of months and is easily available across Kashmir.

Talking to us, Assistant Food Commissioner, Hilal Ahmad Mir said that the report of food analyst has found chicken kebabs sold in Kashmir as unsafe for human consumption.

“As the product contains ingredients which could prove harmful for the human beings,” Mir said adding that they would take action against the persons who are indulging in its sale.

“After the report it is now substantiated that these packed kebabs could prove fatal as the item contains chicken skin, feathers etc. Subsequent to this finding we have asked all its dealers to stop its supply in the market and strict action would be taken against persons selling packed chicken kebabs in the market, “he said.

Mir also appealed the general masses to desist for consuming this item as it is not safe for human consumption.

When asked whether action would be taken against its manufacturers, Mir said that the kebabs are being manufactured by the companies operating outside JK. “However we will ensure that its supply is stopped with immediate effect.”

To mention, the FCO in the past few weeks has seized nearly three quintal unsafe packaged Kebabs that have entered from unknown manufacturers in Kashmir and circulated in the markets.

These packaged/unpackaged illegal food products are being pumped in the Kashmir market from some unknown manufacturers from various states.

Experts further reveal that addition of food colour to kebabs and similar food items, as per Food Safety and Standards Act, is banned as it makes them unsafe for consumption.

“Food colour is not allowed in kebabs, but most of these kebabs have red colours added to them to make them catchy.”

The FCO also suspected that the kebabs may be possessing carcinogenic content. “These are not packed in food grade polythene. That is highly dangerous as non-food-grade polythene used for edibles is suspected to have links with cancer,” they said adding in addition, the team from FCO has also found ‘burnt’ patches on kebabs. “Again, this (burnt food) can cause cancer.”