The Food Safety Department of Jammu & Kashmir has issued a strong public health warning after laboratory tests confirmed serious contamination in two widely circulated food products. Acting swiftly to protect consumers, authorities imposed an immediate ban on Ajwa packaged drinking water in Srinagar and PriyaGold Butter Delite biscuits in Anantnag after both products failed mandatory safety standards.
This decisive action highlights growing concerns around food quality, water safety, and regulatory compliance in Jammu & Kashmir.
Ajwa Packaged Drinking Water Banned in Srinagar
The Food Safety Department, Srinagar, prohibited the sale, storage, distribution, and display of Ajwa brand packaged drinking water with immediate effect. Officials took this step after a water sample collected from Srinagar tested positive for E. coli and coliform bacteria at the National Food Testing Laboratory, Ghaziabad.
According to the laboratory report dated November 25, 2025, the presence of these microorganisms clearly indicates fecal contamination, making the water unsafe for human consumption. The department stated that even minimal exposure to such bacteria could pose serious health risks.
Assistant Commissioner Food Safety, Srinagar, Yameen-ul-Nabi, confirmed that the ban would remain in force until further notice. Authorities invoked Sections 36(3)(i) and 18(1)(g) of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, to enforce the order.
Health Risks Linked to E. coli and Coliform Bacteria
Medical experts warn that consumption of water contaminated with E. coli and coliform bacteria can cause severe gastrointestinal infections, including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. In vulnerable individuals, such as children and the elderly, the infection may escalate to kidney failure or hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
Coliform bacteria serve as a key indicator of water quality. Their presence often suggests contamination from sewage leaks, animal waste, or polluted water sources. Under Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) IS 14543, packaged drinking water in India must show zero coliform bacteria in a 250 ml sample.
PriyaGold Butter Delite Biscuits Prohibited in Anantnag
In a separate but equally concerning case, the Food Safety Department Anantnag banned the sale of PriyaGold Butter Delite biscuits (Batch No. E2SKP02FB) after laboratory analysis revealed sulphite levels beyond the permissible limit.
Officials collected the sample from a local market and sent it to the National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad. The Food Analyst’s report (No. JK-665/DEC/25/786 dated December 5, 2025) declared the product unsafe for consumption due to excessive sulphite content.
The biscuits are manufactured by Surya Food & Agro Ltd., Noida. Authorities warned that prolonged consumption of products with high sulphite levels may trigger allergic reactions, breathing difficulties, and digestive disorders.
Legal Action Under Food Safety Laws
Invoking powers under Section 36(3)(b) of the FSSA, Designated Officer (Food Safety) Anantnag Sheikh Zameer Ahmad ordered an immediate district-wide ban on the biscuits. Officials reiterated that the manufacture or sale of unsafe food violates Section 3(1)(zz)(xi) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Strict Directions for Retailers and Wholesalers
The department has directed all food business operators, wholesalers, and retailers to immediately stop selling and distributing the banned products. Businesses must report their existing stock to food safety authorities within 48 hours, failing which strict legal action may follow.
Officials emphasized that these enforcement actions aim to safeguard public health and consumer safety. The Food Safety Department urged consumers to remain vigilant, check product labels carefully, and report suspicious or substandard food items.
As food safety inspections intensify across Jammu & Kashmir, authorities reaffirm their zero-tolerance policy toward unsafe food and contaminated drinking water.
