MUZAFFARABAD: The field staff of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Food Authority and Food Department have been directed to ensure the uninterrupted supply of quality flour and rigorous monitoring of cooked and uncooked food items during Ramazan.

The directives were issued by Abdul Hameed Kiani, Director of the AJK Food Department and Ex-officio Secretary of the AJK Food Authority, during a meeting with food inspectors and assistant food safety officers here on Saturday.

According to a press release, Mr Kiani urged the participants to leave no stone unturned in upholding the commitment of the government and the Supreme Court to provide quality food items, including subsidised flour, to the general public.

“The government allocates substantial funds for the supply of subsidised flour. To ensure that the real beneficiaries are the people, it is imperative to closely monitor the entire process—from production to distribution—so that quality flour reaches consumers without any discrimination,” he said.

Furthermore, he directed that special checkpoints be set up at entry points during Ramazan to thoroughly inspect vehicles transporting food items from outside the state.

“Strict checks should also be conducted on food items prepared for Iftar to prevent the sale of substandard or unhygienic products,” he added.

Mr Kiani warned that unscrupulous traders often take undue advantage of the increased demand during Ramazan by selling or using substandard items stockpiled throughout the year.

“Greedy and short-sighted traders exploit the holy month to offload substandard and expired food items. Therefore, field staff must pay particular attention to checking edible oil, ghee, spices, and bakery products,” he stressed.

He also reminded the participants that he had recently cautioned the public about the dangers of repeatedly using cooking oil.

“During Ramazan, little attention is paid to using healthier oil in frying pakoras (fritters), samosas (patties), and other deep-fried items sold at shops and makeshift stalls. Field staff must ensure that only safe and hygienic oil is used in food preparation,” he stressed.

Mr Kiani informed the field staff that the Food Authority’s fully equipped mobile laboratories would be deployed across all three divisions before Ramazan.

“These labs will be utilized to ensure strict compliance with the standing directives of Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq and the Honourable Chief Justice of the [AJK] Supreme Court regarding the provision of quality food items across the state, including the often-neglected semi urban areas,” he said.

He warned that any negligence in implementing these measures would not be tolerated.

Separately, Mr Kiani expressed hope that traders and seasonal shopkeepers would uphold the sanctity of the holy month by prioritizing public health over short-term financial gains.

He also urged the public to be more vigilant when making purchases and to take personal responsibility instead of relying entirely on government oversight.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2025