Srinagar, Mar 13 : Food and Drugs Department J&K has started sampling of fresh fruits, vegetables and other food items following social media reports about early-ripened fruits, particularly watermelons, in markets.
Commissioner of Food Safety & Controller, Drugs & Food Control Organisation, Hashmat Ali Yatoo, speaking with the news agency— said social media is an “uncontrolled” platform where people post whatever they like.
“We have a role in ensuring food safety, whether these are packed goods, milk, meat, chicken, fruits or vegetables. We collect samples for analysis and only make statements after conducting tests in labs. We are collecting samples from every district of the Union territory,” he said.
The Commissioner added, “Our staff has been working on this for the past few days, and we have collected samples. Mobile testing labs are also operational. We will only provide information after the results of the samples are available.”
Yatoo said teams are active in each district of Kashmir and also in Jammu. “We cannot comment on artificially ripened or mature fruits until the results come in,” he said.
