Over 3.5 tonnes of decomposed meat seized; religious and health authorities urge strict vigilance and consumer caution
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD)An alarming surge in the supply of unhygienic and unverified meat products across Kashmir has triggered both public outrage and religious intervention. In one of the largest crackdowns in recent years, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Kashmir has confiscated over 3,500 kilograms of rotten, unlabelled, and poorly stored meat from various districts in the Valley.
Amid growing concern over public health, Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, has issued a fatwa urging people to refrain from consuming meat of suspicious origin—including momos, kebabs, and frozen meat products whose halal status or source cannot be verified.
“Earning or consuming haram is strictly forbidden in Islam. People must avoid meat that is not clearly sourced or processed under halal conditions,” he said in a video message, urging the public to buy only from trusted vendors.
He further appealed to imams and religious preachers across the Union Territory to raise awareness about the issue during Friday sermons and called for strict legal action, including use of the Public Safety Act (PSA), against offenders.
The FDA’s operation—conducted in areas including Srinagar, Pulwama, Safakadal, Parimpora, and Ganderbal—uncovered a grim reality. In Lasjan alone, over 500 kg of spoiled meat was seized, allegedly destined for commercial kitchens. Nearly 2,500 kebabs made from unsafe frozen meat and tainted with unauthorised food colouring were destroyed on the spot.
In another disturbing discovery, around 600-700 kg of decomposed meat was found dumped beneath the Nowgam-Lasjan Bypass, hidden in sealed packets across marshy land.
“This meat had no cold-chain backup, no proper labelling, and was unfit for consumption,” said FDA Commissioner Smiti Sethi, adding that samples have been sent for lab testing and legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act is underway.
The crackdown follows a pattern of repeated seizures—over 1,200 kg in Zakura, 600 kg in Kakapora, and more in Nagbal and Ganderbal—highlighting the scale of the illegal meat distribution network.
Experts have now urged the public to avoid eating meat at restaurants and roadside eateries.
“Poor storage, dubious sourcing, and lack of inspections make commercial meat potentially dangerous,” said Dr. Nadeem Ahmad, a senior health official, warning of the risks of food poisoning and infections.
Dietician Shazia Maqbool echoed the call for caution, advising families to stick to home-cooked meals, especially for children and the elderly.
With public trust shaken, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has demanded tighter food safety enforcement and greater accountability across the meat supply chain.
As the investigation widens, civil society groups and consumer watchdogs have urged citizens to report suspicious meat-selling practices and demand hygiene certification from vendors(DD)
