Experts highlight hazards of consuming unhygienic food

Say adulteration major cause of increase in death rates

MULTAN: Provision of safe food has become a global issue, especially in non-developing countries. Unhygienic and unprotected food has very dreadful consequences upon human lives due to which death rates have increased dramatically.

This was said by Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) Chairperson Prof Muhammad Ashraf while addressing the concluding session of the Third International Conference and Food Expo held at Bahauddin Zakariya University on Monday. The event was organised under the supervision of Multan Institute of Food Science and Nutrition by food experts and food technologists of national and international institutes.

Punjab Food Authority Director General Noorul Amin Mengle, University of Gambia Vice-Chancellor Prof Faqeer Muhammad Anjum, Bahauddin Zakriya University Vice-Chancellor Professor Tahir Amin, deans, department chairpersons, directors, principals and members of syndicate were also present in the ceremony.



On the occasion, Ashraf said, “Our children are becoming the victim of many diseases. We should solve this issue with unity.” He added the provincial government took an effective step by making food authority in Punjab. “Efforts of providing the public with safe food by the food authority are really appreciable,” he said. “We could not solve this issue unless we do not bring awareness in the people and do not understand the importance of provision of safe food,” he advised.

Punjab Food Authority Director General Noorul Amin Mengle said, “There is no doubt that the food which we eat is very dangerous for our health. All the hotels, restaurants and shops are being checked under the directive of Punjab government,” he maintained.

He said poisonous chemicals were being wiped out and fines were imposed on the violators.

Similarly, University of Gambia Vice-Chancellor Prof Faqeer Muhammad Anjumtold the participants, “Unhygienic food is causing many diseases in 15% children under five years of age.”

He pointed out, “Provision of safe food is becoming harder day by day. Even healthy fruits and vegetables are not available these days. We have to solve these serious issues by integrated actions.”

While expressing views, Bahauddin Zakariya University Vice-Chancellor Prof Tahir Amin said educational institutes play an important role in holding conferences and researches. They highlight the issues and their solutions.

He said, “Educational and research conferences will bring good changes in the society and the country will provide a proper direction to the professionals associated with this field.”

Meanwhile, Food Expert Professor Shahana Arooj Kazmi said, “We have to aware the common people regarding food and the type of food stuff they should or should not use.”

Professor Doctor Saeed Akhtar said that healthy food was the basic need of every man and without it we could not imagine life. “Unhygienic food has now become a serious problem and we have to solve it.

On the occasion, different national and international companies exhibited their products at the conference. Shields were also distributed among the participants of Food Expo.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7^th, 2017.