Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Sep 05: Kashmir’s food industry is facing a severe crisis and a profound loss of public trust following the recent exposure of a rotten meat scandal. The sector continues to struggle for survival, with many businesses considering permanent closure while others hope for a gradual return to normalcy.
However, there seems to be no end to the scandal, as new reports of rotten meat cases continue to emerge from various parts of Kashmir.
In the latest incident, authorities in Srinagar raided and seized frozen rotten meat again on Thursday, raising serious concerns. Are people truly willing to further suffer the food industry? Are they really human? How can they prioritize profit over the health of an entire population?
Yamin-ul-Nabi, the Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety in Srinagar, confirmed to The Web Story/The Varmul Post that raids and crackdowns against violators are continuing. On Thursday, he reported that a large quantity of frozen meat had been seized. The officer further stated that the department “will leave no stone unturned” in its action against those involved in “serving poison to the public.”
He said the department is “on its toes,” and efforts are underway to act strictly against those who do not follow the guidelines.
Last week, authorities issued guidelines and assured strict action, including jail time and fines, for anyone involved in unhygienic food practices across the region.
An order, a copy of which is with The Web Story/The Varmul Post, strictly prohibits the sale of packaged food products that lack proper and complete label declarations. It defines fresh, chilled, and frozen meat based on specific storage temperatures and conditions.
The order specifies that frozen meat and meat products must be stored and transported at -18°C or below at all stages, from production to sale. Short-term chilled storage at 4°C is permissible for a maximum of two to four days before consumption.
Furthermore, all establishments must be equipped with calibrated temperature monitoring devices and maintain accurate records for inspection.
The notice warns that non-compliance will result in strict enforcement action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, including the seizure of non-compliant stock and monetary penalties. Penalties can be as high as ₹5 lakh for sub-standard products, ₹3 lakh for misbranded products or missing labels, and ₹10 lakh for operating without an FSSAI license. The notice also clarifies that offenses involving unsafe food are punishable by imprisonment for up to six years and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh.
Meanwhile, the repeated offenses have left hotels and restaurants deserted, causing severe financial losses across the industry. The situation prompts critical questions about accountability and oversight: who is responsible for the systemic failures that have shattered consumer confidence?
Now that the scandal has entered its second month, people remain deeply concerned about their health and the safety of their food and drink.
However, can the industry implement the reforms necessary to regain public trust and restore its vitality?
The Web Story/The Varmul Post spoke with many hotel and cafe owners across Kashmir, who revealed their suffering, their business losses, and their concerns for the future.
Shameen Ahmad, who owns a cafe in the summer capital city of Srinagar, told The Web Story/The Varmul Post, “What happened was wrong, and whoever is involved should be punished. But why are we being punished? What is our fault? We follow every guideline and serve authentic food to our people. Yet, the entire food industry is suffering for the mistake of a few.”
Shameen said that their businesses have been hit badly as people have lost trust in the industry, but it is their own people who are suffering. “There are entrepreneurs who not only made their name by serving authentic food but have also been employment generators amid the job crisis in Kashmir. Now, the situation has hit the industry so hard that they are being forced to let employees go. Where can they go? How can they support their families? When the industry is hit, it impacts all of Kashmir. So people should not lose trust but should support those who have been genuine and not leave us to God’s mercy.”
Jibran Khan, owner of the famous food chain Zero Miles Grill and Cafe, shared his views on the overall situation. He stated, “At the peak of my career, I was running 7 outlets of Zero Miles – Grill & Cafe successfully, with 3 more lined up this year. We were employing hundreds of workers and sustaining a livelihood chain that stretched from small local vendors supplying milk, curd, and vegetables to larger vendors supplying chicken and raw materials.”
“Unfortunately, due to the negligence of a few and the irresponsible portrayal by some, the entire food industry was unfairly dragged into falsehood. The consequences have been devastating – not just for businesses, but for the workers, families, and partners who depended on them.”
He stated that most restaurants in Kashmir are laying off their staff, and some are shutting down permanently. “The food industry is in shambles! It’s heartbreaking to see livelihoods disappear and dreams put on hold.”
Javid Parsa, the man behind the Valley’s fastest-growing food chain, Parsa Foods, spoke to The Web Story/The Varmul Post about the rotten meat issue, calling it an eye-opener for the entire Kashmiri community.
“People often visit restaurants and boast about getting cheap meals, but they don’t realize the serious issues with raw materials and ingredients. As far as Parsa’s food chain is concerned, I can confidently say that in the past 12 years, despite facing numerous challenges—whether it was COVID, harsh winters, or supply shortages—we have never compromised on quality. Instead of resorting to cheap alternatives, we prefer to declare items out of stock. We’d rather tell our customers, ‘This item is unavailable,’ than use substandard or questionable ingredients.”
“This is not just a business issue; it’s a matter of faith and ethics for our entire community. Everyone must unite and take a stand against those dealers and factories involved in mass-producing and promoting such harmful products. Strict action should be taken against them. It’s crucial for us to be aware of what we are eating and drinking.”
Similarly, other cafe owners narrated the same story of how they are suffering and how their business and livelihood have been badly hit.
