Health warnings: Fines imposed on vendors for flouting hygiene laws

Re-using cooking oil may lead to cancer, heart diseases

ISLAMABAD: Fried foods, which traditionally constitute the bulk of iftar meals in Ramazan, are being cooked in repeatedly re-used and sub-standard oil in the markets of the capital, resulting in an array of illnesses.

In a survey conducted by the APP, it has been found that most vendors fry samosas, pakoras, kachoris, french fries, jalebis, etc in substandard oil and re-use it repeatedly, for days on end.

Fazal Rehman, a resident of G-8, alleges that besides the second-rate quality of oil and ghee, shopkeepers do not clean their cooking utensils, pots, pans, trays and plates properly either.

Sarwar Khan, a vendor at G-6 says that he cannot afford to change the oil every day, however, insists that he makes sure to change it every three to four days.



Health experts believe that re-using cooking oil leads to free radicals attaching themselves to healthy cells, which leads to diseases.

These free radicals can be carcinogenic that is can cause cancer and also atherosclerosis, which can lead to increase in bad cholesterol levels, blocking the arteries.

Other than cancer and heart disease, health risks include acidity, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and an irritable throat.

“During frying and cooking, the degradation of oil produces harmful compounds,” said Dr Arif Majeed, a medical practitioner.

The Capital Development Authority Directorate of Health and the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration have constituted special teams to test the quality of various foods.

An official of the ICT told the APP that since the start of Ramazan, the ICT Administration have imposed fines of Rs2,468,400 on 1,320 shopkeepers, stalls holders and managers for violating health and hygiene laws.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 15^th, 2016.