Another haul of 600 kg rotten meat seized

Srinagar, Aug 6: In a concerning development following the highly shocking seizure of 1200 kg of rotten meat in Srinagar, a little less than a week ago, more suspicious meat is getting discovered, seized, and reported.

The visuals of putrefied, mass scale meats across many areas of Kashmir are pushing consumers to the edge.

Authorities in Kashmir have reported at least three fresh cases of a large quantity of suspicious meat in the Valley.

Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Assistant Commissioner Food Safety, Hilal Ahmed Mir, said 350 kg of meat, similar in characteristics to the 1200 kg meat seized earlier, was found on the road between Gallandar and Pampore in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

“Some supplier had dumped it overnight for fear of getting caught with unacceptable quality of meat,” he said.

Mir said that an investigation had been initiated to locate the source of the meat, and once located, legal action would be initiated.

On Tuesday, Mir said, over 250 kg of meat was seized in Ganderbal and destroyed.

“We have intensified our vigil on meat and are constantly inspecting meat suppliers and their storage facilities,” he said.

Meanwhile, a video showing large packs of meat dumped into the River Jhelum has been circulating on social media.

As per the reports, the meat was “rotten and smelly” and suspected to be used in the preparation of popular non-vegetarian snacks and Wazwan.

After 1200 kg of putrefied meat were seized by the J&K Drug and Food Control Department on July 31, consumers in Kashmir have been shaken over the lack of quality and safety of the meat products they consume.

Social media and mass media have been abuzz with the commentary, concerns, and demands for the safety of food items.

Many raids, routine and in response to public outcry, have been carried out.

As per the DFCO, the meat is intended for restaurants, street food stalls, and small eateries.

However, they are yet to make the information public to pin the source as well as the end user of the packaged, unlabelled meat.