Sale of unhygienic food, organ meat, continues unchecked in Kashmir

Srinagar, July 14: In absence of checks, the sale of unhygienic organ meat, chickens and foods by vendors and shopkeepers is rampant across Kashmir markets, posing health hazards to people.
At Batamaloo, there are small-scale artisanal butchers, who keep stock of animal organs like heart, liver, tongue, brains and hooves but these are being sold in unhygienic condition.
In the absence of proper sanitation, cockroaches, flies, bees could be seen on organs of animals sold openly and these organs are consumed as food by people.
Touseef Ahmad, a student from Srinagar, who went to Batamaloo was astonished when he asked a vendor for animal liver.
“I refused to take it as it was bitten by bees. It can cause health problems by taking such organs sold in insanitary conditions. There should be checks on them,” he said.
Touseef said the unprecedented urban growth has caused a rise in the installation of kiosks while authorities are not bothered about human health.
Javid Ahmad of Rawalpora, who had come to get meat at Batamaloo, said there are no checks on uncovered chickens and unhygienic foods.
“It is not uncommon to see flies perching on displayed roadside food items but the authorities are mute over the issue,” he said.
Passing vehicles garnish them (flies) with dust and smoke from exhaust fumes. Nobody is doing anything to check the situation.
“It is better not to bring these foods, better is to avoid them. The mess needs to be looked at carefully. There are norms but no enforcement,” he said.
Inhabitants of Rainawari complained that there are meat shops inviting honey bees and flies causing trouble to them.
People also complained that the oil used to fry snacks by vendors in markets and streets is also being reused and turns black in the process causing health problems.
“Wrapping of snacks and food items in newspapers by street vendors is also uncontrolled. Newspapers contain bio-active materials with known negative health effects,” said Junaid, a customer.
The roadside tea stalls near hospitals and in markets are blatantly resorting to unhygienic practices and use adulterated water to prepare tea and food.
Mushtaq Ahmad, an attendant from Budgam said the food stalls outside the health care facilities in Srinagar like LD, SMHS and SKIMS are very dirty.
“Broken and rusty utensils are used to prepare food. Due to dirt, plastic jugs and glasses have turned black. Filthy clothes are seen hanging at their stalls inviting flies,” he said.
Despite all these issues, the Food and Drug Control Organization is yet to crack a whip against the vendors who are selling unhygienic food.
The locals alleged that the authorities hold drives but only on special occasions like Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Azha and forget it throughout the year.
However, Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety, Srinagar, Hilal A Mir agreed that there are some places where such complaints come.
“We will take serious cognizance of the matter and we will take strict action against the offenders,” he said.
Mir said recently they conducted many drives against supply of chicken and meat that comes from outside Kashmir and suppliers and concerned stakeholders were instructed to maintain a cold chain.
“In the past also we have conducted drives and thrown away unhygienic organ meat and food items but they have again installed their stalls,” he said. The department has also challaned many offenders after they were found not maintaining hygiene.