Srinagar, August 21, 2025 : In the wake of the rotten meat scandal that shocked Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir government has directed strict enforcement of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) rules governing the handling, storage, packaging, and sale of frozen meat and chicken products. Officials warned of serious legal consequences for violations.
The scandal came to light after officials seized hundreds of kilos of rotten meat from unauthorized and ill-equipped storage facilities, raising fears that such illegal trade may have been active for years.
In a fresh notification, the J&K Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has made it mandatory for all food business operators — including manufacturers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, cold storage operators, transporters, and e-commerce platforms — to follow FSSAI norms.
Key directives include:
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Labelling compliance: Packaged frozen meat and chicken must display the product name, ingredients, non-vegetarian symbol, net quantity, batch number, manufacture/expiry dates, storage conditions, manufacturer/importer details, and FSSAI license number.
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Temperature standards: Frozen meat must be stored and transported at –18°C or lower, with a maximum shelf life of 12 months. Chilled meat is permissible only for 2–4 days at 0–4°C.
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E-commerce rules: Products sold online must have at least 30% shelf life or 45 days before expiry at the time of delivery. All mandatory information must be visible to consumers before purchase.
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Records & monitoring: Establishments must install calibrated temperature devices and maintain digital and physical records for inspection.
The FDA warned that packaged frozen meat sold without complete labelling or safety compliance will attract strict legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Penalties include:
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Fines up to ₹5 lakh for sub-standard products.
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Up to ₹3 lakh for misbranding or missing label declarations.
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₹2 lakh for operating without FSSAI registration.
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Up to ₹10 lakh for operating without a license.
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For unsafe food: Imprisonment up to six years plus a fine of ₹5 lakh.
The Commissioner has directed food businesses to immediately review and upgrade operations, update records, and remove non-compliant products from shelves and online platforms.
Meanwhile, the J&K and Ladakh High Court, hearing a PIL on the scandal, has asked the government to file its response within four days.
