Srinagar, Dec 14: The alleged adulteration of eggs in Kashmir has triggered widespread concern and anxiety among residents of the valley, with people increasingly questioning the safety and hygiene of the food they consume daily. The issue has reignited a larger debate on food safety, as many fear that essential food items are no longer trustworthy. Residents say the controversy has shaken public confidence, coming close on the heels of earlier allegations of adulteration in mutton. “First it was mutton, now it is eggs. We don’t know what is safe anymore,” said Faisal Chaku, a resident of Srinagar’s Rainawari area. “Children and elderly people eat eggs. If even eggs are adulterated, are we really safe?” Across the valley, consumers expressed frustration over what they described as a growing pattern of compromised food quality. In north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, locals said the repeated reports of adulteration have made them anxious about their daily diets. “We buy eggs thinking they are a cheap and healthy source of protein. Now we are scared to even give them to our children,” said Ghulam Nabi, a retired teacher from Uri. “The authorities must tell us clearly whether the food we are eating is safe or not.” Many residents also questioned the overall monitoring mechanism and wondered how far the problem extends. “If eggs and mutton can be adulterated, what about vegetables and other food items?” asked Auqib Ahmad, a local of Anantnag. “Vegetables come from outside the valley as well. Who is checking their quality? People are losing trust completely.” In Budgam, residents said the issue has created panic among families, especially those dependent on eggs for nutrition during winter. “Doctors often advise patients to eat eggs for strength. Now patients themselves are afraid,” said Tahir Najar, a local of Chadoora area “This is not just about eggs, it is about our right to safe and hygienic food.” Consumers also accused the authorities of acting only after public outrage surfaces. “Every time an issue comes to light, inspections start for a few days and then everything goes silent,” said Pardeep Singh, a local of Baramulla’s Kreeri area who works in a private firm. “We want regular checks, not temporary action.” Meanwhile, residents have urged the Food Safety Department to expedite laboratory testing of samples collected and make the findings public at the earliest. The alleged egg adulteration issue has once again brought food safety to the forefront in Kashmir, with residents demanding stricter enforcement, routine inspections and accountability to ensure that the food on their plates is hygienic and safe. The Food Safety Department, Anantnag, on Friday prohibited the sale of PriyaGold Butter Delite biscuits (Batch No. E2SKP02FB) after laboratory tests confirmed sulphite levels beyond the permissible limit, officials said. According to an order issued by the Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety, Anantnag, samples of the biscuit brand, manufactured by Surya Food & Agro Ltd., Noida, were procured from the local market and sent to the National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad. The Food Analyst, in report no. JK-665/DEC/25/786 dated December 5, 2025, declared the product unsafe for consumption due to excessive sulphite content. Earlier, on December 10, the FDA imposed an immediate ban on the sale, storage, and distribution of the packaged drinking water brand ‘Ajwa’ after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of harmful bacteria, including E. coli and coliform, in a sample collected from Srinagar. Responding to the concerns, Deputy Commissioner Food Safety, Kashmir, Ghulam Qadir Azhar told Rising Kashmir that the department is making every effort to curb such practices. “We are conducting regular market inspections, continuously collecting samples for testing, and taking strict action against violations,” he said.