Srinagar,Dec 31: The Office of the Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety in Srinagar has issued a blanket prohibition on the sale and distribution of raisins sold under the Hafsa brand. The order comes after specialized laboratory testing revealed that the product contains dangerous levels of pesticides, rendering it completely unfit for human consumption.
The investigations began when the Food Safety Officer for Zone V in District Srinagar lifted samples of the packed raisins under the specific code number Do/SGR/25/V/109. The raisins were traced to a local manufacturer, M/s Hafsa Dry Fruits and Spices, located at Gulshan Colony in the Allochi Bagh area of Srinagar. These samples were forwarded to the National Food Testing Laboratory in Ghaziabad for a comprehensive chemical analysis to ensure they met the safety standards mandated by the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act of 2006.
The results of the analysis, detailed in test report JK-685/DEC/25/807 dated December 11, 2025, were alarming. The laboratory confirmed the presence of a “Pesticide Sum of Benomyl and Carbendazim,” measured as Carbendazim, at concentrations that far exceed the legally allowable limits. Both Carbendazim and Benomyl are potent fungicides that have been the subject of global health concerns due to their potential to cause long-term harm. Medical experts note that excessive exposure to these chemicals can lead to reproductive issues, developmental toxicity, and may even pose carcinogenic risks if ingested over time.
Recognizing the immediate threat to the general public, the Designated Officer under the FSS Act, Yameen Ul Nabi, who also serves as the Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety, exercised powers under Section 36(3)(b) read with Section 18(1)(g) of the Act to impose a strict prohibition order. This legal mandate covers all activities related to the product, including its sale, storage, distribution, and even its public display. The ban is particularly focused on Batch No. 211Hafsa, which was packed on November 10, 2025, and carried an expiry date of September 11, 2026.
The enforcement order, issued under reference number DO/FSSA/SGR/25/731-734, is effective immediately and will remain in place across the entire jurisdiction of District Srinagar until further notice. All stakeholders in the food supply chain, ranging from large-scale wholesalers to small neighborhood retailers, have been directed to remove the affected stock from their shelves immediately. Furthermore, every food business operator is legally required to furnish a detailed “stock position” of this specific batch to the Commissioner’s office within a strict three-day window.
While the department has taken these drastic steps to ensure safety, the order also notes that the manufacturer retains the statutory right to request a re-analysis of the samples from an FSSAI-notified referral laboratory. However, until such a re-evaluation proves otherwise, the product remains classified as “unsafe.” Department has urged residents of Srinagar to check their pantries and avoid consuming any raisins from this specific batch of the Hafsa brand to prevent potential health complications.
