Budgam, Nov 14 (KNO): Around 1,600 kilograms of deteriorated meat was seized at Budgam Railway Station after Railway Police alerted the Food Safety Department about a suspicious consignment found leaking blood and emitting a foul smell.
SHO Railway Police Budgam, Baynazir Iqbal, told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the consignment was inspected on the spot by the Veterinary Department, whose doctor issued a certificate declaring the meat unfit for human consumption due to its highly deteriorated condition and potential health risks.
She said the seized meat was being disposed of in the presence of the Tehsildar, Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Budgam, and officials of the Food Safety Department.
An FIR (No. 05) has been registered under Section 271 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), while further investigation is underway to identify those responsible for transporting and handling the consignment, she said.
The DSP said the consignment was unmarked and had not been booked in the name of any identifiable person. Police are also questioning railway authorities over how such a consignment was accepted without proper documentation.
She said transportation of meat requires proper documentation, including slaughterhouse, veterinary and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) certificates, besides adequate refrigeration facilities to maintain the prescribed temperature of minus 18 degrees Celsius or below.
However, the seized meat had arrived in ordinary packaging without ice or any refrigeration arrangement, she added.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Budgam, Mufti Umar, said the department received a call from Railway Police at around 3 pm on Friday, following which a team rushed to the railway station for inspection.
He said the meat was found in a highly deteriorated condition, with containers leaking blood and emitting a foul smell. The consignment had also not been transported under the required frozen conditions of minus 18 degrees Celsius or below.
Mufti Umar said a Veterinary Surgeon examined the consignment and issued a certificate declaring it unfit for human consumption. The findings were subsequently verified by the Food Safety team, including the Food Analyst and officials of the Mobile Food Testing Van.
He further said a Magistrate deputed by the district administration issued an order for disposal of the seized meat to prevent it from entering the public distribution channel. The Assistant Commissioner urged people to report suspicious food consignments to the department, reiterating its commitment to ensuring food safety and protecting public health.—(KNO)