J&K milk unit in Bijbehara loses licence over hygiene violations
Synopsis
A viral video showing an employee tasting milk and returning it to public-consumption containers triggered a food safety crackdown in J&K's Bijbehara — and an inspection that uncovered diesel storage inside a milk cooler section, non-food-grade containers, and uncovered water tanks. The licence of M/S Bulk Milk Cooler (JKMPCL) has been suspended with immediate effect.
Key Takeaways
The licence of M/S Bulk Milk Cooler (JKMPCL) at Semthan, Bijbehara was suspended on 1 May 2025 with immediate effect.
A social media video allegedly showing an employee tasting milk and returning it to consumer containers prompted the action.
An inspection on 29 April 2025 found diesel and cleaning agents stored in the milk cooler section, non-food-grade plastic containers , and uncovered water tanks.
The suspension was issued under Section 36 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 , against licence number 11025010000289 .
The operator has been directed to halt all activities at the premises until further orders.
The licence of a milk collection unit in Bijbehara, Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir, was suspended on Friday, 1 May 2025, after a viral social media video and a subsequent inspection revealed multiple food safety violations at the facility. The action was ordered by the Assistant Commissioner and Designated Officer, Food Safety, Anantnag, under Section 36 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
What Triggered the Action
The suspension followed the circulation of a social media video purportedly showing an employee of M/S Bulk Milk Cooler (JKMPCL), operating at Semthan in Bijbehara, tasting milk with his tongue and discharging the leftover milk back into containers meant for public consumption. Authorities acted swiftly, dispatching an authorised Food Safety Officer to inspect the premises on 29 April 2025.
Violations Found During Inspection
The inspection report flagged several serious deviations from prescribed food safety norms. Among the violations recorded were the storage of chemicals — including diesel and cleaning agents — inside the milk storage and cooler section, use of non-food-grade plastic containers in milk handling, uncovered water storage tanks, and a general lack of hygienic practices at the facility.
The designated officer's order noted that processing and storing high-risk food items under such conditions constitutes a violation of Schedule IV of the Food Safety and Standards Act and may pose a direct threat to public health.
Licence Suspended with Immediate Effect
Exercising powers under Section 36 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the designated officer suspended the unit's licence bearing registration number 11025010000289 with immediate effect, pending further orders. The operator has also been directed to halt all activities at the premises until further directions are issued by the authorities.
Broader Food Safety Drive in Kashmir
This action is part of an ongoing food safety audit drive being carried out by authorities across Kashmir, covering establishments dealing in essential items such as medicines, edibles, and dairy products. Notably, the swift response — from video surfacing to licence suspension — underscores the administration's stated intent to act on public complaints without delay. This is among the more visible enforcement actions under the food safety framework in the region in recent months, and observers say it signals heightened regulatory scrutiny of dairy supply chains in the Valley.
All eyes will now be on whether the unit addresses the violations to seek restoration of its licence, and whether the broader audit drive leads to similar action at other establishments.
Point of View
However, is what the inspection found: diesel stored alongside milk, non-food-grade containers, and open water tanks. These are not edge-case oversights; they are systemic failures that raise questions about how regularly such facilities are audited under normal circumstances. If a single viral video can uncover this many violations at one unit, the ongoing Kashmir-wide food safety audit may surface far more uncomfortable findings across the dairy supply chain.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the milk unit in Bijbehara suspended?
The milk collection unit of M/S Bulk Milk Cooler (JKMPCL) in Bijbehara, Anantnag, had its licence suspended after a viral social media video showed an employee tasting milk and returning it to containers meant for public consumption. A subsequent inspection on 29 April 2025 confirmed multiple food safety violations including chemical storage near milk and use of non-food-grade containers.
What violations were found at the Bijbehara milk unit?
Inspectors found diesel and cleaning agents stored inside the milk storage and cooler section, non-food-grade plastic containers used in milk handling, uncovered water storage tanks, and a general absence of hygienic practices — all in violation of Schedule IV of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Under which law was the licence suspended?
The licence was suspended under Section 36 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, by the Assistant Commissioner and Designated Officer, Food Safety, Anantnag. The suspension applies to licence registration number 11025010000289 with immediate effect.
Can the milk unit resume operations?
Not immediately. The operator has been directed to halt all activities at the premises until further orders are issued by the authorities. Resumption would require the unit to address all cited violations and obtain clearance from the designated food safety officer.
Is this part of a larger food safety drive in Kashmir?
Yes. Authorities in Kashmir have been conducting food safety audits across establishments dealing in essential items including dairy products, medicines, and edibles. The Bijbehara suspension is among the more visible enforcement actions to emerge from this ongoing drive.
