A step in the right direction

The government order on meat labelling is a welcome development. For years, people have bought frozen or packaged meat without really knowing where it came from, how it was handled, or whether it was even safe to eat. The shocking seizure of 1,200 kilograms of rotten, mislabeled meat a couple of months ago exposed what many already suspected, that unsafe meat was finding its way into local markets and kitchens.

This order finally acknowledges the scale of the problem and aims to fix it. It makes detailed labelling compulsory and bans the sale, transport, or storage of meat that doesn’t meet safety standards. Every packet of meat will now have to display crucial information, the FSSAI license number, proper storage temperature, shelf life, and even the type of animal it comes from, whether chicken, goat, or buffalo. In simple terms, consumers will now know what exactly they are eating.

The new norms also demand that frozen meat be stored below -18°C and chilled meat between 0–4°C. These numbers mark the difference between safe food and slow poisoning. Improperly stored meat is a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause serious illness. The rule that no meat can be sold after 12 months of freezing, and that online sellers must ensure at least 70 percent of the product’s shelf life remains, shows that the department is thinking ahead and taking into account how the modern food supply chain works.

The order will go a long way to restore trust. When people buy food, especially something as perishable as meat, they deserve the confidence that it’s clean, fresh, and safe. The fact that police and other enforcement agencies will now be checking trucks and cold storage facilities adds another layer of accountability. For once, there is a real possibility that violators will face consequences.

Food business operators, too, have a role to play. Restaurants, butchers, and wholesalers must start taking food safety seriously. It’s not enough to pass the blame to suppliers or transporters, every link in the chain must be clean and transparent.