MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Food Authority has instructed all district food controllers (DFCs) and food safety officers (FSOs) to immediately register local brands producing and selling mineral water, alongside conducting on-site inspections and lab tests to ensure quality standards.

According to Secretary Abdul Hameed Kiani, each unit will now be required to furnish a Rs500,000 surety bond — a condition already applicable to the dairy sector.

“Unregistered or substandard units will face immediate closure and other strict legal measures,” he declared.

Mr Kiani said officials had also been directed to inspect fast food outlets — particularly shawarma and burger vendors — with a focus on hygiene and ingredient quality. “Meat and chicken used by such outlets must be traceable and safe. Any business found using rotten or harmful items will face immediate closure and legal action,” he said, adding that such outlets would remain sealed until cleared by a court.

Sale of 10 edible oil, ghee brands banned after failing lab tests

Likewise, marriage halls and marquees have been ordered to fully comply with the food authority’s regulations. DFCs and FSOs will develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) covering food preparation, storage, serving and cleanliness. Violations will result in penalties, including fines and sealing of premises, he said.

Mr Kiani also stressed the need to inspect breeder chicken shops to ensure the meat sold meets hygiene standards.

In addition, samples of frozen food items — such as chicken samosas, rolls, and frozen meat products — must be collected from across the districts for laboratory analysis.

“Storage freezers must be clean, and the hygiene of staff strictly observed. Any substandard product must be confiscated and destroyed on the spot, and sellers prosecuted,” he said.

He said the food authority was rigorously enforcing food safety standards across the region and would continue its crackdown on violators without pause, leniency, or discrimination.

As part of recent enforcement actions, he said the sale of 10 edible oil and ghee brands — Watan Cooking Oil, Jameer Banaspati Ghee, Barkat Cooking Oil, Meezan Cooking Oil, Shafaq Banaspati, Kainat Fresh Banaspati, Khyber Banaspati, Kainat Super Canola Cooking Oil, Shah Taj Cooking Oil, and Rabi Banaspati — had been banned after they failed lab tests. Each was also fined Rs100,000.

Similar penalties and sales bans were imposed on Meat Club, Orange Foods, Prime Poultry, PK Foods, and Dawn Foods for not meeting safety and quality standards, he added.

He further said that five other companies were fined for violating labelling regulations and given 15 days to address the issues.

In Mirpur district, 11 dairy shops were sealed for adulterating milk with water and milk powder. A milk-laden vehicle from Punjab was intercepted, fined for lacking proper documentation, and sent back, he said.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2025