Mutton shop sealed after viral video at Hazratbal

Srinagar, Apr 11: Following the public outrage over a viral video that captured a dog exploring a mutton shop at Hazratbal area of Srinagar, a team from the Food Safety Organisation today carried out an inspection of the outlet.

The shop has been sealed, while the department said it was collecting more information about the business that operated from the outlet that was said to be non-operational.

Speaking to Greater Kashmir, the Assistant Commissioner Food Safety, Yameen ul Nabi said the team reached the spot where the video had been taken on Friday morning. He said upon inquiry, it was found that the shop was not selling any meat item, but as instead used as a storage point for tools by a street vendor. “We have been told that the shop has been non-functional since 12 years,” he said. He however said that the person who owned the shop sold poultry on a roadside stall.

He said the owner had been summoned by Police Station Hazratbal and the Food Safety Department team also questioned him there. “We thoroughly inspected the shop in video and it was used to store knives, and other chopping equipment, which is also not acceptable if it is exposed like this to stray dogs,” he said. He added that the shop was sealed.

In addition, inspections of many food outlets were also carried out in the Hazratbal area by the team. A press statement from FSO said that some street vendors in Hazratbal were found violating provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act. These violations included not adhering to optimum storage temperature and exposing the food to environmental contaminants.

It said that seven food outlets from Hazratbal were found operating in insanitary and unhygienic conditions and improper handling of high risk foods. “Challan will be submitted before the Adjudicating officer (ADC) Srinagar for violating various provisions of the Food Safety Act,” the statement said.