Muzaffarabad: As the chilly winds of winter begin to sweep through Muzaffarabad, the city’s markets have come alive with the vibrant display of dried fruits — walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios, and more. But behind this colorful season of taste and tradition, a bitter reality has surfaced. Reports of substandard and unhygienic dry fruits flooding the markets have alarmed consumers, prompting swift action from the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Food Authority. Responding to a wave of public complaints, the Food Authority launched surprise inspections across the city. Teams visited major markets and trading centers to examine the quality, storage, and hygiene standards of various dry fruits. During the operation, officials discovered that some vendors were selling damp and inferior quality products, while others were keeping dry fruits in unhygienic and dirty conditions. As a result, two shops were sealed on the spot and large quantities of substandard dry fruits were confiscated. A spokesperson for the Food Authority said that the crackdown was conducted under the Food Authority Act 2017 and the Pure Food Regulation 2019. He added that such actions would continue to ensure that consumers get pure, safe, and quality food items across Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Our Correspondnet
