Banned, substandard spices being sold in Valley
4.5 quintal spices destroyed in Srinagar markets
DFCO cracks whip on traders, issues notices
A major health hazard for common people cannot be ruled out in Kashmir valley as many traders have been found selling banned and substandard spices, KIF has learnt.According to officials sources the large quantity of open substandard spices have been imported in Kashmir by unknown manufactures in gunny bags without proper permission and packaging.
“There is a big mafia working in the valley who are transporting the banned spices to valley markets. These spices are not only adulterated but harmful for human consumption also as they contain banned food coloring agents,” said a senior official of Drug and Food Safety Control Organisation (DFCO).
After receiving complaints from many people the Food Safety Officers of Drug and Food Control Organisation (DFCO) Friday destroyed over 4.5 quintal of banned spices including turmeric, chilli powder, saunf powder and other spices at Batmaloo, Hari Singh High Street and Koker Bazar areas as per the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) 2006.
The department has recently banned the sale of open powdered spices in J&K as per the FSSA 2006. The spices were also found substandard containing harmful ingredients and coloring agents
Deputy Commissioner Food Safety, Irfana Ahmad told KIF that large number of complaints had been received from various markets of Valley that some unscrupulous traders are selling spices which are not in conformity with the safety standards.
“These spices are substandard and are of very low quality which is harmful to human health and nobody will be allowed to sell this in Kashmir,” she said.
The department has issued notices to the traders to explain their position as why they have been selling the banned spices.
“Under FSSA 2006 no traders is allowed to sell open food item without proper packaging and labeling. And of and on these spices were declared unsafe by food analyst as they failed lab tests,” the Deputy Commissioner said.
