SRINAGAR, AUGUST 16: The Jammu and Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association (JKHARA) has pressed the government to enforce strict and immediate measures to block the entry of rotten and substandard meat into the Union Territory. Speaking at a press conference in Srinagar, JKHARA President Babar Chowdhary termed the recent seizure of expired meat consignments at Lakhanpur “a wake-up call for public health and consumer confidence.”
“We have confirmed incidents of rotten and expired meat being brought into Jammu and Kashmir,” Chowdhary stated. “Families cannot be exposed to such risks in the name of profit. Public health and consumer trust are not open to compromise.”
The association unveiled a five-point action plan, which includes a complete prohibition on the entry of unbranded frozen meat and poultry. Chowdhary stressed that no product lacking proper traceability and verification should be permitted in the local market.
Another key proposal is the urgent establishment of a certified meat testing laboratory at the Lakhanpur checkpoint. JKHARA said the lab must be equipped to carry out real-time tests for freshness, expiry, hygiene, and compliance with food safety norms. “No truckload should be cleared at Lakhanpur without scientific certification,” Chowdhary emphasised.
The plan also calls for rigorous inspection of all consignments. JKHARA recommended checks on expiry dates, packaging strength, labelling accuracy, and visible signs of freshness. Chowdhary said these inspections must be performed by a dedicated team under a transparent and accountable system.
On the legal front, the association urged immediate licence cancellation, blacklisting, and prosecution under food safety and criminal laws for suppliers caught dealing in expired, rotten, or misbranded meat. “Those who endanger public health deserve the strictest punishment,” Chowdhary asserted.
To reinforce oversight, JKHARA suggested creating a Special Task Force at Lakhanpur consisting of food safety officers, veterinary experts, and law enforcement personnel. According to the association, clearance from this team should be compulsory for every consignment, and any load found unfit should be turned back with the supplier permanently blacklisted.
Chowdhary clarified that the association was not opposing lawful trade but was striving to safeguard trust. “This is not about hindering business; it is about ensuring that what enters people’s kitchens is wholesome and safe,” he remarked. “The reputation of our hospitality industry, the confidence of tourists, and the wellbeing of our communities rest on that trust.”
He concluded by urging authorities to expedite the setting up of the Lakhanpur testing facility and to standardise inspection protocols. “Every day of delay risks another tainted consignment crossing the checkpoint—and another betrayal of public trust,” he cautioned.