Sale of adulterated food continues in Punjab

PFA orders hundreds of kilogrammes of unwholesome meat to be discarded

LAHORE: The sale of adulterated and substandard food products/beverages is continuing the markets of the city during Ramazan. Punjab Food Authority (PFA) data shows that safety teams confiscated over 430 kg of unwholesome meat during the inspection of various shops.

The PFA sent the unwholesome meat to be discarded at PAMCO furnaces.

PFA launches crackdown against food adulteration

PFA Director General Muhammad Usman said that meat of sick and emaciated animals, slaughtered at illegal establishments, is supplied to shops for sale. He added butchers can only sell veterinary-stamped animal products or meat in the market.

Usman underlined that the authority is taking strict action against butchers who were involved in illegal practices. He emphasised that the consumption of unhealthy and substandard meat is a health hazard.

The sale of substandard fried products also increased substantially during Ramazan. PFA food safety officials took action against various bakeries, confectionaries and other food businesses. It issued warnings to various establishments over poor cleanliness, use of rancid oil and non-compliance of various food regulations of the authority.

The PFA DG said citizens should check the quality of food before purchasing and only buy approved products from reliable stores.

Meanwhile, PFA data shows that officials are seizing and discarding thousands of litres of adulterated milk every other day. Over 13,000 litres was seized from the provincial capital alone on Friday. PFA officials said that the seized product was contaminated with chemical, water and other substances.

Punjab Food Authority to impose ban on loose milk

Similarly, PFA officials discovered a factory producing tainted milk in Pakpatatn. The authority disposed of around 500 litres during this raid.

He said chemically contaminated milk was being supplied to shops in different cities of Punjab after storing it in chillers. The use of impure milk causes stomach diseases. “PFA is implementing a pasteurization policy to completely eliminate adulterated milk from Punjab,” the DG concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2019.