Officials conduct surprise market inspection in Sopore, impose penalties

Sopore, Sep 2: In a bid to enforce food safety standards and protect consumers, multiple departments on Tuesday conducted a joint market checking drive across Sopore town.

The inspection was carried out by the Food Safety Department, Revenue Department, Municipal Council Sopore, Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), and J&K Police.

During the drive, dozens of shops, vendors, and business establishments were inspected. Officials detected several violations of food safety and market regulations, imposing penalties worth thousands of rupees on erring traders.

The operation was supervised by Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety, Ajaz Iqbal, along with Food Safety Officer Sopore, Mubasir Hassan, and enforcement staff from allied departments.

Officials said such drives will continue in the coming days to ensure traders maintain hygiene, sell quality products, and refrain from overcharging. Special focus, they said, would remain on checking substandard food items.

Authorities also appealed to the public to stay alert and report any food safety violations or unfair trade practices on the toll-free number 104.