Srinagar, Aug 5: In the wake of the recent seizure of over 1,200 kilograms of rotten meat from a cold storage unit in Srinagar, health experts and dieticians have raised serious concerns over the safety of meat consumption at eateries and have advised the public to exercise extreme caution.
Dr. Nadeem Ahmad, a senior health officer, warned that consuming stale or improperly stored meat can lead to severe health complications including food poisoning, gastrointestinal infections, and even long-term digestive issues.
“Such incidents clearly show that regulatory gaps exist. Until full accountability is fixed, people should avoid eating meat at restaurants and dhabas,” he said.
Dietician Shazia Maqbool echoed similar concerns, stating that the origin and storage conditions of meat served at commercial establishments remain questionable.
“Poor refrigeration, lack of hygiene, and unethical sourcing are rampant in some places. It’s safer for people to prefer home-cooked food for now, especially for children and elderly who are more vulnerable,” she advised.
This comes days after enforcement teams of the Food Safety Department destroyed a massive quantity of decayed meat from a facility at Zakura Industrial Estate. The meat, found to be foul-smelling and clearly unfit for consumption, was reportedly being supplied to local markets.
The incident has triggered alarm among consumers and sparked widespread outrage. Health experts are now urging authorities to intensify surprise inspections, cancel licenses of defaulting suppliers, and improve transparency in the meat supply chain.
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has also called for stricter food safety enforcement, saying public health cannot be compromised for commercial interests.
Meanwhile, several civil society groups and consumer forums have appealed to the public to report suspicious meat-selling practices and demand hygiene disclosures from food outlets.
“It is better to err on the side of caution,” Dr. Nadeem added. “Until the entire supply chain is declared safe, avoid eating meat outside.”
(KNT)
