PFA seals two pickle factories

DG vows to continue crackdown against adulterators

LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has sealed two pickle factories on account of adulteration in the provincial metropolis here on Tuesday.

Following a tip-off by vigilance cell, the PFA’s operations and vigilance teams have carried out joint operation against adulterators involved in the unlawful businesses of food.

The provincial food regulatory body has shut down both production units of pickle in Kala Khtai Road for using loose adulterated species, chemicals and other harmful ingredients in pickle. The raiding team also witnessed stinky environment, poor storage system and the thick layers of fungus in the blue drums in which pickle has been preserved. Moreover, units were violating the labelling law.

PFA Director General Captain (retd) Muhammad Usman said the use of chemicals in the preparation of pickles was hazardous for human consumption. “The PFA will allow only those food business operators who follow the Punjab Pure Food Regulations 2018. Food adulterators cannot hide from the eye of PFA,” he said, adding that food authority was taking all necessary steps to curb food adulteration in Punjab as per the vision of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar. “The PFA is utilising all available resources to ensure the provision of healthy and quality food in the market,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2019.