Surge in Colon Tumours Raises Alarm
Keyword: Unsafe food in Kashmir, colon cancer, food safety Kashmir
Srinagar, August 1 — Earlier this year, the Gastroenterology Department of Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, raised serious health concerns after witnessing a sudden surge in colon tumours among patients undergoing colonoscopies. The medical professionals warned that the cause might be hiding on the very plates of Kashmiri people.
Doctors are now urging a critical review of food safety in Kashmir, especially in the wake of unconfirmed but persistent reports suggesting the use of formaldehyde — a toxic chemical used as a preservative — to store non-vegetarian items in the absence of a proper cold chain.
Kashmir’s Food Plates Under Scrutiny
Keyword: Rotten meat in Kashmir, adulterated food in Jammu and Kashmir
The valley’s rich culinary traditions — especially non-vegetarian delicacies like Wazwan — are now being overshadowed by growing fears about food adulteration and lack of hygiene. Many experts believe that Kashmir’s food safety landscape is dangerously compromised, affecting not just taste buds but also public health.
Key Concerns:
1 in 3 Colonoscopy Patients Has Tumour: Disturbing Statistics
Keyword: Colon cancer rise in Kashmir, GMC Srinagar report
In March 2025, Greater Kashmir reported a shocking health development: every third patient undergoing a colonoscopy at GMC Srinagar had signs of colon tumours.
Medical experts have linked this worrying trend to long-term exposure to adulterated and toxic food substances — especially non-vegetarian food that is not preserved under proper conditions or is chemically treated to increase shelf life.
Rotten Meat Seized: A Wake-Up Call
Keyword: Rotten meat seized in Kashmir, food safety raids J&K
On July 31, 2025, the J&K Food Safety Department conducted a massive raid, seizing 1,200 kg of rotten meat that was reportedly meant for restaurants. Officials said the cold chain had not been maintained properly — the meat was supposed to be stored at -18°C, but due to negligence, it had begun to putrefy.
Details of the Raid:
- Conducted by: Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Hilal Ahmad Mir, DFCO’s Yameen-ul-Nabi, and a team of experts
- Location: Srinagar outskirts
- Target: Meat meant for restaurants, not direct consumer sale
“This spoiled meat would have ended up in restaurant kitchens and then in people’s plates if it wasn’t for timely action,” said Hilal Ahmad Mir.
Adulterated Foods Flooding Markets in J&K
Keyword: Food adulteration in Jammu and Kashmir, unsafe food products
Only days before the rotten meat seizure, the authorities had confiscated adulterated sweets and contaminated cheese in Jammu, further highlighting the rampant food adulteration problem in Jammu and Kashmir.
Experts say the food supply chain in J&K is riddled with loopholes, and the lack of routine checks or legal enforcement allows such illegal practices to flourish.
Is Formaldehyde Being Used to Preserve Meat?
Keyword: Formaldehyde in food, chemical preservatives in meat Kashmir
For years, unconfirmed reports have surfaced that some sellers in Kashmir are using formaldehyde to preserve meat and fish, especially in the absence of cold storage facilities.
Although not officially confirmed, this toxic preservation method is suspected to be contributing to long-term gut health problems, including colorectal cancers. Formaldehyde is carcinogenic and banned for food preservation globally.
Unsafe Colours in Traditional Wazwan
Keyword: Carmosine in Wazwan, food colour health risks
An official from the Food Safety Department revealed that unapproved synthetic food colours like Carmosine are being used extensively in the preparation of Wazwan, a traditional Kashmiri feast.
“Although it’s hard to monitor household use, commercial kitchens and large-scale events like weddings often use these unsafe additives to enhance the visual appeal of dishes,” the official stated.
Carmosine is associated with gut irritation, allergic reactions, and even hyperactivity in children, making it a public health hazard.
What Needs to Change?
Keyword: Improving food safety in Kashmir, public health Kashmir
Health experts, food safety officials, and consumer rights activists agree that urgent systemic reforms are needed to curb food adulteration and ensure public safety.
Recommendations:
- Strict enforcement of cold chain protocols for meat storage
- Bans and penalties on the use of toxic food colours and chemicals
- Frequent food raids and surprise checks
- Public awareness campaigns about food safety
- Mandatory certification of restaurants and food outlets
Public Vigilance Is Key
Keyword: Food safety awareness Kashmir, consumer responsibility
While the government’s role is crucial, consumers must also stay vigilant. Being cautious about where one buys food, checking for certified labels, and reporting suspicious food products can go a long way in reducing the health risk.
Health begins with the food we eat, and in Kashmir — where cuisine is deeply rooted in tradition — ensuring that what reaches the plate is safe and unadulterated is now more important than ever.
Conclusion
Keyword: Kashmir food health crisis, rotten truth of Kashmiri food
The recent seizures of rotten meat and adulterated food products have unmasked the hidden dangers in Kashmir’s food chain. With rising cases of colon cancer and gut disorders, it is time for both the government and the public to take decisive steps.
Unsafe food is silently gutting Kashmir’s health, and if ignored, the problem could soon turn into a full-blown public health crisis.
