Srinagar, Nov 24 (NationPress) A shocking incident unfolded on Monday morning when 12 members of a family were discovered unconscious in a village located in Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) Kupwara district. Authorities reported that the family was found in Nowgam village.

They were quickly transported to a local medical center, where medical professionals subsequently referred them to the Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara for further treatment.

According to doctors at GMC Handwara, the 12 individuals who were referred are responding positively to treatment, and their condition is stable.

Preliminary investigations indicate that this situation may be a case of food poisoning, as noted by officials.

Food safety issues are prevalent in the Valley, with unsafe food consumption frequently linked to food poisoning cases. The ongoing marriage season in the region often leads to the preparation of poorly cooked or stale food, contributing to such incidents.

It remains uncertain whether the affected family had attended a marriage feast or consumed self-prepared stale food.

Medical examinations will ultimately clarify the cause of the illness.

Earlier this year, J&K was embroiled in a significant food safety scandal involving the seizure of over 11,600 kg of decomposed meat, adulterated cheese, and other unhygienic food products. This scandal has severely eroded public trust in the local food industry.

Authorities confiscated large quantities of rotten and unlabeled meats, with allegations that the imported products were sourced from sick or deceased animals, frozen, and delivered to Srinagar at artificially low prices.

The investigation also uncovered various forms of food adulteration, including counterfeit rasgullas and fake cheese containing foreign fats, along with kebabs and ristas made using synthetic food colors, mustard oil, and subpar rice.

Industry insiders attributed the unchecked influx of cheap, unbranded, and unhygienic imports to the abolition of the Lakhanpur toll tax in 2020.

A lack of adequate cold chain monitoring and testing facilities at entry points has allowed substandard products to infiltrate the market.

Health professionals have linked the consumption of such adulterated food to various health issues, including food poisoning and other severe ailments, with some claims suggesting the use of carcinogenic chemicals like formaldehyde to prolong shelf life.

In response, the J&K government and the Food Safety Department launched a comprehensive crackdown, with high-level meetings led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to tackle the crisis.

Multiple raids throughout the Union Territory resulted in significant seizures of unsafe food items. Several individuals were identified as key suspects, with multiple First Information Reports filed against violators, including the operator of Sunshine Foods in Zakoora, Srinagar.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings of stringent penalties for businesses that fail to comply, including fines reaching Rs 10 lakh and imprisonment for up to six years.

The licenses of nine establishments, including a Domino's Pizza franchise and various local outlets, were suspended.

The government has revealed plans for a comprehensive strategy to ensure food safety, which includes mandatory testing laboratories and food safety check posts at Lakhanpur and Qazigund to scrutinize incoming perishable goods, the establishment of a 'Flying Squad' for surprise inspections, and a ban on unbranded frozen meat and chicken.