MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Food Authority has suspended the licences of two Lahore-based companies and imposed a fine of Rs300,000 each for allegedly selling unsafe products in violation of an official ban.

According to an order issued by Food Authority Secretary Abdul Hameed Kiani on Wednesday, as many as nine companies had been prohibited from marketing certain products across the region in the last week of March after laboratory reports found their items in breach of the standards operating procedures (SOPs) outlined in the AJK Food Authority Act, 2017, and the AJK Pure Food Regulations, 2019.

All food safety officers (FSOs) were instructed to seize the banned items without exception, conduct retesting and submit follow-up reports to the authority.

However, on Tuesday, the FSO of Bagh district reported that, despite the ban, several products of MUX Company — includingPum Pum Chatkhara Snacks, Crunchy Nachos Snacks, Fur Fur Snacks and Gup Shup Snacks— as well as those of Master Abrar Foods — includingChicken Karahi Snacks, Sheedo Chaska, Master Biryani Karahi Snacks and Tikka Masala Snacks— were still being brought and sold in the markets.

Following the report, the items were immediately confiscated.

Mr Kiani said that in light of the violation, the licences of both companies had been suspended for the time being, and fines of Rs300,000 each were imposed underSection 25 (Unsafe Food)andSection 28 (Failure to comply with directions)of the AJK Food Authority Act, 2017.

The fines are to be deposited with the office of the District Food Controller/Food Safety Officer in Muzaffarabad, he added.

Mr Kiani further directed all FSOs to carry out testing of other products marketed by these companies and submit their reports to his office for appropriate action.

When contacted byDawn, Abdul Hameed Kiani said the crackdown was part of a broader effort to ensure that only safe and compliant food products were allowed in the market, especially after several complaints were received regarding substandard packaged snacks being sold to children and unsuspecting consumers.

The remaining companies, whose names and banned items had also been listed in the initial notification, were under close watch, and any violation of the ban would lead to similar punitive action, he said.

Mr Kiani noted that theAJK Supreme Courthad issued categorical directions to the Food Authority to adopt azero-tolerance policytowards manufacturers and retailers who jeopardised public health by selling unsafe, adulterated or spurious food items.

“The apex court has stressed that violators must be dealt with firmly and without exceptions to protect the wellbeing of the people, and our teams are implementing these orders with missionary zeal,” he added.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2025