Health Alert: Unchecked frozen meat flooding north Kashmir markets

Baramulla, Mar 13: Despite regulations set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the unchecked flow of frozen meat, dressed chicken, and fish into north Kashmir has raised serious health concerns.

The absence of quality control mechanisms at entry points like Lower Munda has allowed potentially unsafe meat to reach local markets, food vendors, and restaurants, putting public health at risk.

Over the past few years, frozen meat and dressed chicken is being increasingly used due to their lower cost compared to fresh alternatives.

The rise of street food businesses, especially biryani outlets and street food vendors, has increased this demand. Locals frequently consume dishes like rista, goshtaba, and kebab made from frozen meat, often without knowing its source or quality.

"There is no authentication of where this meat comes from," said Firdous Ahmad, a local trader. "We don't know whether it is supplied by a licensed processing unit or from somewhere else. The authorities are simply not checking."

Under FSSAI regulations, frozen items like meat and dressed chicken should be sourced from licensed facilities and should undergo regular testing for chemical and microbiological contaminants.

The main concern is the lack of a structured mechanism to test the quality of frozen meat before it enters the Kashmir Valley. Unlike other food products, frozen meat remains largely untaxed, allowing it to be transported freely without regulatory checks.

"The problem is that frozen meat directly lands here without being intercepted for quality control," said Bashir Ahmad, a resident of Baramulla. "Recently, municipal authorities destroyed a large quantity of frozen meat at Baramulla and Kupwara which was found unfit for consumption, but why wasn't it checked before entering the market?"added Ahmad.

Unregulated frozen meat poses a significant threat to public health. Poorly stored or contaminated meat can carry harmful bacteria leading to severe foodborne illnesses. Moreover, the use of chemical preservatives in excess can have long-term health effects.

"People are eating this meat without knowing the risks," said a doctor. "There is no way to tell whether it has been stored at the right temperature, how long it has been frozen, or if it has been tested for contamination."

While urging the authorities to initiate proper mechanism of knowing its import, the authorities should ensure mandatory quality checks at entry points like Lower Munda to ensure only FSSAI-certified frozen meat is allowed in.

The concerned residents have also urged authorities to start regular inspections of food vendors and restaurants to verify the source of their meat.