J&K to Launch Robust 6-Point Food Safety Roadmap in Collaboration with NITI Aayog

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 05, 2026: In a significant move to elevate public health standards, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a high-level consultative meeting today with Dr. V.K. Paul, Member of NITI Aayog, and senior experts from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The session focused on drafting a robust, multi-year strategy to strengthen food safety enforcement and infrastructure across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Attended by top officials from the Health and Medical Education Department and the Food and Drug Administration, the meeting served as a platform to address systemic bottlenecks and align the Union Territory’s food safety protocols with national benchmarks.

During the deliberations, Dr. V.K. Paul and FSSAI advisors proposed a six-point strategic framework designed to modernize the region’s food safety regime. A primary pillar of this roadmap is the launch of an intensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign to educate the public on consumer rights and the Food Safety and Standards Act.

This public-facing initiative will be paired with rigorous regulatory updates to empower the Food Safety Organization with enhanced enforcement authority. Furthermore, the plan prioritizes the immediate upgrade of existing laboratory infrastructure in Jammu and Srinagar, ensuring these facilities meet high-level accreditation standards before expanding the network further.

To ensure these objectives are met with precision, a joint panel of experts from the FSSAI and the J&K Health Department has been tasked with finalizing a detailed action plan within the next three months. Chief Secretary Dulloo emphasized that this collaboration is essential for building a “future-ready” system that safeguards public health through better human resource capacity and streamlined testing processes.

Implementation of this comprehensive blueprint is slated to begin in April 2026, marking a new chapter in the Union Territory’s commitment to uncompromising food governance and citizen welfare.