In what can only be described as a near tragedy quietly averted,1,200 kilograms of decaying meat, reeking of rot and illness, was intercepted in Zakura Srinagar, just hours before it was to be distributed to restaurants, hotels and street vendors across the Valley. The meat, packed and ready, was never meant to be seen, only swallowed, unknowingly, by families, children and the elderly. This was not just about expired food. It was a betrayal of trust, of public health and of the invisible bond between the people who serve food and those who consume it. The very idea that such meat was about to be cooked, plated and served is both terrifying and heartbreaking.

Thankfully, a team from the Food Safety Department, joined by social activist Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, intervened just in time. Their timely move was not just a surprise operation, it was an unseen shield between innocent lives and a tragedy waiting to unfold.
But the question that now lingers is more haunting: How long has this been happening without anyone noticing?
It was more than just a seizure, it was a moment of heartbreak, a disturbing reminder of how close we were to consuming something that could have endangered countless lives. This was not just about spoiled meat; it was about public health, trust and the fundamental right to safe food.
Earlier today, the same team was seen conducting checks in Hazratbal, moving from stall to stall, inspecting the quality of street food, speaking to vendors and trying to rebuild public faith in the food sold on our streets.
Last year, in Hazratbal, a dead rodent surfaced in oil used by a street vendor, triggering public outrage and swift departmental action. That incident still lingers in public memory, a reminder of how dangerously low our food safety standards can fall.
These are only the incidents that surfaced but in reality, there may be hundreds of vendors selling substandard snacks and unhygienic street food in and around Srinagar. The system needs to be consistently vigilant across all areas, not just when headlines are made.
Kashmir’s love for meat is unmatched. According to data, the region consumed around 220 lakh kilograms of mutton in just nine months averaging 4.4 kg per person annually, much higher than the national average of 2.8 kg/year. With such high consumption, it is no surprise that meat-based street food has become an everyday indulgence. Tujj,kebabs, fried snacks, all are served in huge quantities by roadside vendors who often operate with minimal oversight.
we love our street food. Be it crispy pakoras (Aaaloo Munjje) in Hazratbal or seekh kebabs(Tujje) in Khayam Chowk,it is a part of who we are. But in our craving for flavored have grown blind to hygiene and numb to risk. We are addicted not just to the food, but to the convenience and culture of not asking questions. We rarely care about oil quality, utensil cleanliness, or whether meat is fresh, until health consequences surface.
These incidents expose a dangerous gap: only a small fraction of vendors are routinely inspected, hygiene and storage conditions remain poor in many outlets, and ingredient sources are often unknown and unverified. While the food safety department and civil society members are stepping up efforts, consistent monitoring and community cooperation are essential to fill the cracks.
What we need now is a shift from reaction to prevention. Regular, surprise inspections must become routine in every district, not just in urban hubs. Every street vendor should be certified and trained in basic food hygiene and mandatory health screenings should be conducted for food handlers. Public feedback systems, such as helplines and WhatsApp reporting numbers, must be widely publicized and easily accessible. Most importantly, there is a need for ongoing awareness campaigns that educate both consumers and vendors about safe food practices. Building a culture of food safety will require participation from everyone, not just officials, but citizens too.
Our vibrant food culture is a source of pride, but that pride must not come at the cost of public health. The rotten meat haul and the Hazratbal rodent incident have shaken the public’s sense of safety, and rightly so. These moments must not fade into news archives. They should mark a new beginning, where food safety is a daily priority, not a delayed response. Where clean food is seen as a right, not a privilege. And where our trust in street food is restored with vigilance, accountability and heart.

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