PFA seals two food business operators

Authority confiscated over 35,600 kilogrammes of adulterated food products

LAHORE:  

PFA officials conducted raids on Sunday under the directions of Director General Captain (retd) Muhammad Usman and sealed two food businesses producing a large quantity of adulterated food items in the densely populated areas of Badami Bagh and Taj Bagh. The authority confiscated over 35,600 kilogrammes of unwholesome food products.

The director general said that the provincial food watchdog has sealed Abdullah Grinding Unit in Badami Bagh for adulteration. The unit was producing adulterated spices by mixing bran, sawdust and non-food grade colouring. The spices were being supplied without packaging and labelling to several areas adjacent to the city, the DG stated.

He added that the authority seized 19,000 kilogrammes of red chilli powder, 17,000 kilogrammes of turmeric and a huge quantity of raw material from the scene. PFA also collected the samples of the spices and sent them to the laboratory for further examination, he said.

Meanwhile, in another raid in Taj Bagh area, food safety officials raided Bukhari Muraba, a jam factory, and found less than satisfactory cleanliness and hygiene. The provincial watchdog has sealed the unit and confiscated 350 kilogrammes of rotten fruits, 200 kilogrammes of sugar syrup, 50 kilogrammes of harmful chemicals, 20 kilogrammes of textile colouring and non-food grade drums.

Enforcement teams also reported an abundance of fruit flies and mosquitoes in the drums used to store the jam. “It is compulsory for food business operators to follow the laws laid down by the authority,” Usman expressed.

As per the orders of the Punjab chief minister, the authority has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against food adulterators in Punjab, the director general said. He vowed that PFA will continue to curb food related issues and will endeavour to eliminate adulteration mafia from Punjab. He added that anybody can read the complete set of guidelines as prescribed by the authority on PFA’s website or their Facebook Page.