Lab tests confirm erythrosine and other synthetic dyes in meat seized across Kashmir

September 19, 2025 by News Desk

The Food Safety Department of Jammu Kashmir has confirmed that several meat samples seized during recent raids in Kashmir were unsafe for human consumption, with laboratory reports detecting harmful synthetic colouring agents.

According to official data, claimed to have been accessed by ETV Bharat, tests conducted at two national-level laboratories, the National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad, and the FICCI Research and Analysis Centre (FRAC), New Delhi declared four meat and meat product samples unsafe. The samples contained carmoisine, tartrazine, and erythrosine, all banned synthetic additives under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011, due to their severe health risks.

The carcinogenic potential of these additives has been documented in multiple scientific studies.

In the first round of testing, 57 samples were lifted from 11 districts, with reports for 18 already received. Of these, four were found unsafe, while others met standard requirements.

Notably, 18 samples were collected from Srinagar city, where reports for 14 are still pending. One sample of frozen raw meat tested at the National Meat Research Institute, Hyderabad, confirmed the meat was carabeef, derived from Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

The seized products included rista, kebab, goshtaba, chicken momos, fried chicken, raw fish, and cheese, collected from Kupwara, Shopian, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Srinagar, Pulwama, Baramulla, Budgam, Anantnag, and Jammu.

Authorities said a total of 834 inspections were carried out in 13 districts, leading to the seizure of 1,677 kg of meat, chicken, fish, and dairy products. Srinagar topped the list with 1,400 kg seized. In addition, over 11,000 kg of spoiled food was destroyed to prevent its sale.

Enforcement action has intensified, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) filing 27 cases, resulting in Rs 3.4 lakh in fines. Separately, fines totalling Rs 84 lakh were imposed on erring Food Business Operators (FBOs).

Licences of nine FBOs, including well-known outlets such as Domino’s Pizza in Anantnag, Sunshine Foods in Srinagar, and Shaun Shahi Biryani in Anantnag, have been suspended.

Deputy Commissioner, Food Safety Kashmir, Ghulam Qadir Azhar, said the raids have also highlighted the shortage of staff in the department, with 40 Food Safety Officer posts lying vacant.