By Himayun Mukhtar Qureshi
A disturbing incident has sparked outrage in Kashmir—a rat was allegedly found in the cooking oil of a local street vendor. The shocking discovery has left people asking serious questions: How safe is the food we eat every day? Are proper hygiene checks being conducted? And do we really know what’s being served on our plates?
From roadside stalls to high-end restaurants, from butchers to poultry shops, food safety concerns have come under the spotlight. The bigger issue is not just one incident but whether the entire system is functioning the way it should.
Are Hygiene Standards Being Followed?
While many food businesses take pride in quality and cleanliness, how do we know if all of them meet the required food safety standards? Are regular inspections happening? Is there strict enforcement of hygiene regulations?
1. Are Restaurants Meeting Safety Standards?
- Do all restaurants follow proper food storage guidelines?
- Is oil being changed regularly, or is it being reused beyond safe limits?
- How can customers be sure that hygiene checks are routinely carried out?
2. Butchers and Meat Shops: Are Storage Rules Enforced?
- Is meat being stored at the right temperature, or is it exposed to unsafe conditions?
- Are there proper inspections to ensure compliance with health standards?
- Do authorities regularly check if expired or poor-quality meat is being sold?
3. Poultry Dealers: Are Safety Measures in Place?
- Are live birds being kept in clean and regulated conditions?
- Is frozen chicken being handled correctly, or does it go through temperature fluctuations?
- Do regular health checks take place to ensure poultry safety?
4. Dairy and Milk Products: Are They Properly Regulated?
- How often are dairy vendors inspected to prevent contamination?
- Are proper refrigeration facilities in place?
- Is there monitoring to ensure milk isn’t being adulterated?
5. Street Food Vendors: Are They Following Hygiene Norms?
- Do all vendors have access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities?
- Is the cooking oil being used safely, and are utensils properly cleaned?
- Are food safety officials conducting frequent inspections?
Who Is Responsible?
The big question remains: Are regular food safety checks happening as they should? If inspections are routine, why do such incidents take place .If they are not, then who is accountable?
The Way Forward
- Transparent Inspections: Authorities should publicly share food safety inspection results.
- Stronger Regulations: If gaps exist, stricter enforcement of hygiene laws is needed.
- Consumer Awareness: People must be informed about their right to safe food and how to report violations.
- Accountability: Businesses and authorities alike must ensure food safety is a priority.
The recent incident is a wake-up call. It’s time for serious discussions about food safety in Kashmir. In Kashmir we hesitate to question the dealers and restaurant staff about the purity of things.We as a society need to inculcate this habit of questioning the safety, quality and other food safety standards. Every person deserves to know that the food they eat is safe.
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