For the last week of this month, Kashmir’s Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs carried out rigorous raids and inspections in collaboration with the locals and media persons throughout the Kashmir valley on a wide range of establishments, including hotels, restaurants, meat-processing units, and chicken-selling shops. Collaboration approach of local people & concerned authorities targeted various locations across Kashmir, in which alone in Srinagar, almost 3 tons of rotten meat was seized. The seized rotten meat was found raw and spoiled along with processed Kashmiri Kababs, Goshtab, and Rista. The visible infection revealed foul smell, discoloration, and clear signs of microbial growth, which are all indications of open spoilage. People are questioning whether the meat they consumed recently was fresh, safe, and legally obtained, or if it was part of the seized rotten stock also People are ambivalent about whether this meat was from a halal source or haram; this has eroded the trust of people in food, especially the meat that is being served throughout the valley.

From a health perspective, Spoiled meat is a major danger to overall health.. Scientific research clearly shows that decomposed meat is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, including Salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Clostridium botulinum. These bacteria can cause severe foodborne illnesses. Cooking can destroy most of the bacteria, but a few are heat-resistant and can produce toxic agents like botulinum & staphylococcal enterotoxins, which cause food poisoning. Another Concern is that some carcinogens are produced during the spoilage of meat, and some bacteria act on this rotten meat and can produce nitrosamines and other harmful chemicals during the decomposition process. In cooking, these chemicals are exposed to high temperatures and convert some chemicals into carcinogenic compounds, leading to an increased risk of cancer development, especially stomach and colorectal cancers
In addition, according to research, certain molds that grow on decomposing meat produce mycotoxins, chemical compounds that are also recognized as carcinogens. Cooking spoiled meat contaminated with such molds does not eliminate the danger because heat cannot reverse the chemical damage already caused by the spoilage process. On the contrary, heating degraded proteins and fats can produce new toxic compounds such as heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), both of which have been directly linked to cancer development in humans.
The natural decomposition process of meat is another source of toxicity. During this process, meat breaks down the proteins, deteriorating into harmful byproducts like Putrescine and cadaverine. Ingestion of these products can damage the gastrointestinal lining. Over time, repeated consumption of meat containing such toxins can cause chronic inflammation in the digestive tract, a condition known to be a precursor for certain types of cancer. Short-term consumption can pose various health issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and long-term consumption can also ultimately lead to lethal cancers. More threatening to children and elderly persons whose immune system is very weak. Apart from this, scientific research clearly shows that the nitrosoamines produced from rotten meat can also trigger liver and esophageal cancers.
it is evident that the prevailing circumstances in Kashmir are not merely a matter of food fraud, but with the help of local people, media persons, and other responsible authorities, collaboratively exposed the mass scandal where this spoiled meat was distributed to hotels, restaurants, and other local shops. It is a serious public health crisis. This is not only a violation of the law but also an injustice and disregard for human life. We urge the Department of FCS & CA, Jammu and Kashmir, along with law enforcement agencies, must take decisive action. Those involved in this heinous crime must face strict legal consequences that remain a deterrent to others who might consider engaging in similar acts. Moreover, the food safety department should monitor frequently and keep all such crimes on their radar so that the valley stays hygienic.

Email:-------------------------rahilaali951@gmail.com