Srinagar, Aug. 12 -- The past fortnight's raids have revealed what many suspected: our systems for monitoring and safeguarding what we eat are broken. The challenge is not only to punish offenders but to create a structure that stops unsafe food from ever reaching our kitchens.

The first step is prevention, not reaction. That means enforcing cold chain documentation for every perishable consignment, with checks at multiple points before goods reach markets. Wholesale suppliers and cold storage owners should be licensed under stricter rules, with surprise audits built into the system. Without traceability, accountability becomes impossible.

Enforcement must also shift from sporadic raids to continuous monitoring. Mobile testing labs and ...