Regular market inspections, rice sampling being conducted across J&K to check adulteration: Sakeena Itoo

Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo on Wednesday informed the House that the Health Department is conducting regular market inspections and sampling of rice across Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar, to curb the sale of adulterated rice.She was responding to a question raised by Legislator Shamim Firdous regarding the issue of adulterated rice in the House.The Minister said that during the financial year 2025–26, a total of 121 rice samples were collected and sent to NABL-accredited food testing laboratories for analysis. Of these, 110 test reports have been received so far.She further informed that seven samples were found to be ‘Not of Standard Quality (NSQ)’, following which cases have been filed in competent courts under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.The Minister said that the department is conducting regular market inspections and sampling of rice under the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 in the entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, including Srinagar.She also informed the House that out of 7 NSQ samples, 3 have been found with Folic Acid content less than prescribed standards under FSSA, while 4 have been found with Chalky kernels exceeding the prescribed limits under FSSA