Public Distrust Over Non-Halal and Unhygienic Meat Rumors Drives Down Kashmir’s Restaurant and Hotel Business
The widespread rumours that non-halal and unsanitary meat is being used in preparations at Kashmir’s eateries particularly street restaurants and kiosks were ignited by seizure of 1,200 kilograms of rotten and foul-smelling meat from a storage facility in Srinagar’s Zakura Industrial Estate on July 31 in a major enforcement operation of the Food Safety Department and Drug and Food Control Organization (DFCO)
SRINAGAR: The assumption, fueled by rumours of non-halal and unhygienic meat being cooked in Kashmir’s restaurants, hotels and other eateries, has drastically reduced customer visits, leading to significant financial losses to these.
The widespread rumours that non-halal and unsanitary meat is being used in preparations at Kashmir’s eateries particularly street restaurants and kiosks were ignited by seizure of 1,200 kilograms of rotten and foul-smelling meat from a storage facility in Srinagar’s Zakura Industrial Estate on July 31 in a major enforcement operation of the Food Safety Department and Drug and Food Control Organization (DFCO).
The meat, intended for distribution to hotels and restaurants across the Kashmir Valley, was found unfit for human consumption due to improper cold chain maintenance, specifically not being stored at the required minus 18 degrees Celsius. The raid, led by Assistant Commissioners Hilal Ahmad Mir and Yameen Ul Nabi, was prompted by specific intelligence. The seized meat was immediately destroyed under strict supervision to prevent health risks, and legal proceedings were initiated against the responsible food business operators -Sunshine Foods -under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The seizure caused widespread alarm among Kashmiris, with social media posts expressing outrage and describing it as a “sickening betrayal of trust,” raising concerns about the safety of the meat supply chain and potential health risks like foodborne illnesses. There have been persistent calls from the public for taking strict action against those involved in such practices.
The incident has eroded public trust in the hygiene and halal compliance of street food, a cornerstone of the Valley’s culinary culture. Outraged consumers, particularly in urban centers like Srinagar are increasingly avoiding street vendors, opting for home-cooked meals. Over the past few days, customers in Srinagar prefer purchasing mutton from trusted local butchers in their neighborhoods and opt for freshly dressed chicken to ensure transparency, freshness, and halal compliance, avoiding pre-packaged frozen poultry and meats.
Local dealers of pre-packaged chicken and meat in Srinagar have denied rumors questioning the quality and safety of their products, emphasizing compliance with food safety standards. Bashir Ahmed Nath, a local trader, stated, “Since the Zakura incident, our sales have dropped by over 50 percent. We assure customers that claims of non-halal or unhygienic products are false. We welcome scrutiny from authorities and invite the public to verify the quality and safety of our products.” He further noted, “We source meats from halal-certified suppliers like the Qureshis of Delhi and other reputable Indian companies. As Muslims, we would never deceive our community.”
The belief that non-halal and unhygienic meat is used in Kashmir Valley’s eateries has sharply decreased customer visits, causing substantial financial losses for restaurants and hotels. Altaf Hussain Bhat, a restaurant owner, stated, “Over the past few days, customer numbers have dropped by 60 to 80 percent. Our business is suffering greatly due to the mistake of a single trader.”
A few months ago, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), a coalition of Muslim religious organizations and institutions led by Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, had called for an investigation into reports that meat used in momos and other dishes at Valley eateries was being sold to these at ₹150 per kilogram, compared to mutton at ₹700 and carabeef at ₹450 per kilogram in the open market. The MMU raised concerns about the type of meat used by these eateries. In response, the public strongly demanded strict measures, including harsher penalties for suppliers and vendors found using “non-standard and exotic meats.”
Following the July 31 incident, social media posts on platforms like X have called for rigorous inspections and accountability to curb illegal meat trade networks. As the food industry, especially small-scale street vendors and kiosks, are facing mounting economic pressure, they too have underscored the urgent need for authorities to implement stringent regulations, transparent halal certifications, and robust supply chain oversight to address public concerns, punish the guilty, and restore confidence in Kashmir’s street food sector.
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) stated that the Zakura incident exposes significant flaws in food safety protocols and raises concerns about how such a facility operated in a textile-focused industrial estate without proper registration or oversight. The KCCI has called for a transparent investigation, enhanced border inspections at checkpoints like Lakhanpur, the primary entry point to Jammu and Kashmir from Punjab and which serves as a critical checkpoint for goods and travelers entering the Union Territory and beyond it Ladakh, and strong action against those responsible to ensure such incidents do not recur.
An official of Directorate of Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution (DCAPD) who spoke with this newspaper on condition of anonymity said that unhygienic practices, such as improper storage or unsanitary processing of meat and other raw food items, remain a persistent problem. “Last year, dead mice were found in cooking oil at a traditional food stall in Srinagar’s Hazratbal, raising alarms about lax food safety and hygiene regulations. We promptly took action against the owner,” the official said.
A senior government official stated that, in response to the Zakura incident, the DCAPD, FSD, DFCO, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), and other relevant agencies have launched a campaign to tackle the issue. Measures include intensified market inspections, imposing fines on and issuing notices to food business operators failing to maintain proper hygiene standards. “Considering the local sensibilities given the Valley’s 90 percent Muslim population, for whom halal compliance is essential, authorities are also investigating concerns about non-halal meat, including products from questionable sources,” the official added.
