Representational image. PHOTO: AFP
The event was attended by PFA Director General Muhammad Usman. UCP Acting Pro-Rector Dr Faisal Mustafa and others were also present at the occasion.
A large number of students, faculty members from various departments, nutrition experts and people from different walks of life participated in the awareness walk which was carried out inside the varsity’s premises.
Participants carried banners and placards inscribed with different slogans for public awareness. The basic purpose of the walk was to create awareness among citizens about the adulteration mafia.
Later, a seminar was held at UCP’s Auditorium. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shanawar Hayyat and Nutritionist Sheefa Ali educated participants on how to ensure that the food one is consuming is safe. Another speaker, Dr Faisal Mustafa, praised PFA’s efforts in working day and night to create public awareness.
PFA Director General Muhammad Usman said that the authority is fully committed to providing safe and healthy food as well as pasteurised milk across Punjab. He said that supplying pasteurised milk to the province is the authority’s top priority so that masses can be prevented from using toxic milk. He added that PFA is working vigorously to control the supply of adulterated milk.
Delegation from Thailand
Meanwhile, a delegation from Thailand visited the authority’s head office on Wednesday. The purpose of the visit was to discuss business opportunities in the food industry.
The director general briefed the delegation about reforms in the food industry as well as new business opportunities created. Officials also gave a briefing about regulations, administrative affairs, management structure and the authority’s progress.
The DG said that the authority has made the process of obtaining food licences and registration easier for the food industry. The authority has facilitated food business operators with modern technology to apply for food licenses through the e-licensing system.
Usman added that the food industry has recruited educated food operators with the help of the Punjab Food Authority training school. The PFA advisory service is providing awareness regarding food authority laws free of charge, he said.
A layman is consuming safe and healthy food while small and big food operators are being facilitated and being provided new opportunities. Moreover, the packaging industry also has more business opportunities due to packaging laws.
The eco-friendly industry has thrived due to the law on reusing oil. In the same manner, the food colour industry has gotten more business opportunities after the elimination of non-food grade colours which effect human health and cause deadly diseases, he said.
Similarly, with pasteurisation laws, farmers would be able to get a better price for the milk they produce. Pasteurisation plants and transport for delivering pasteurised milk would increase business opportunities. The dairy and livestock industry would grow more due to the demand for pure milk, he explained.
Lastly, the DG added that PFA, along with reforming food businesses, is also encouraging food operators for their good work.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 20th, 2019.
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