SRINAGAR: Seven rice samples from Srinagar markets were reported as not of standard quality and legal cases have been lodged, the Government told the Assembly on the Starred question on adulterated rice.
The reply, placed before the House in response to a starred question tabled by Shamim Firdous, said the Health and Medical Education Department conducted market inspections and lifted 121 rice samples across the Union territory during the financial year 2025–26. The samples were sent to NABL-accredited food testing laboratories for analysis; 110 test reports have been received so far, of which seven samples were declared NSQ, or not of standard quality, and cases have been registered in the competent courts under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Officials said the nonconformities recorded included excess folic acid content beyond prescribed limits and a higher incidence of chalky kernels in certain consignments, findings that led to the classification of those samples as NSQ. The reply did not specify whether the failed samples were drawn from retail outlets, wholesale depots or supply chains, nor did it name any firms against whom prosecutions have been initiated.
The department emphasised that routine market surveillance, sampling and laboratory testing form part of its regulatory response to suspected food adulteration. It said action taken so far includes filing cases where laboratory reports confirm noncompliance with statutory standards; further enforcement and prosecution will follow the due process of law. -(KL)
