MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Food Authority has taken decisive action against substandard food business operators, imposing significant fines on companies selling low-quality products.
This crackdown aims to ensure public health and safety by enforcing strict quality control measures, the food authority said in a statement.
According to the authority, the laboratory analysis of different products of various companies was conducted on May 14, and in light of the received report, the substandard products of the following companies have been declared unsatisfactory
The banned products include Kianat Super Canola Cooking Oil, Shahtaj Cooking Oil, Rabbi Banaspati, Prime Poultry Chicken neck minced, PK Chicken Kofta, Dawn Chicken Kofta, and Shahbaz Banaspati.
Each of the companies, which own theses products, has been fined Rs 1 lakh for unsatisfactory laboratory analytical reports, and their sale has been banned in Azad Kashmir under Section 25 (Unsafe Food) of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Food Authority Act, 2017.
“The fine will be paid by obtaining a challan from the District Food Controller Office, Muzaffarabad. In case of non-payment of the fine, the companies will be notified, and the previously issued license and permit will be cancelled, and a permanent ban will be imposed,” the order added.
In another order, the food authority banned several beverages of five companies, declaring them unsatisfactory.
The products include Fresh Sun Slice Mango fruity drink, Elektra Mango Flavoured Drink, Alita Mango Flavoured drinks, Basil Seed Flavour Drink, Farmway Food’s Frozen Mango Flavored drink, and Fresh cool Mango Fruit Drink of Unique Beverages.
The companies have been fined Rs. 30,000 each for non-compliance with labeling rules and have been directed to correct their labeling within 15 days.
Other than that, eleven milk shops in Mirpur district have been sealed for mixing water and milk powder. A vehicle carrying milk from Azad Kashmir to the Punjab border was also returned after imposing a heavy fine for lack of permission, the food authority said.
The Secretary Food Authority has expressed determination to continue uninterrupted operations to ensure the public obtains quality food items, with no leniency shown in this regard.
