PFA seals factory, seizes 7,000kg of tainted spices

Adulterated chilli powder was being prepared by artificially colouring rice husks

LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) sealed a factory and confiscated more than 7,000kg of tainted spices during an operation in the area of Shadi Pura Bund Road on Tuesday.

PFA Director General Muhammad Usman said that raiding teams seized 5,620kg of adulterated red chilli powder, 1,300kg hot pepper and 150kg turmeric. He said that contaminated chilli powder was being prepared by artificially colouring rice husks.

He added that the team also found a large quantity of sawdust, rice husk, loose colours and other ingredients during the raid.

PFA continues crackdown against loose spices

He stated that action was taken against the factory after on-the-spot tests were conducted. The director general said that these spices were supplied to different small shops under different brand names being packaged.

He added that authority unearthed the factory after conducting a sting operation and monitoring the supply chain. He said that the sale of loose spices has been completely banned in Punjab for the last several months. The use of adulterated and substandard spices causes several diseases among consumers, he said.

The director general said that PFA will not compromise on the quality of food and will not show leniency to violators who will fail to meet the authority’s standards. PFA has a zero-tolerance policy against food adulterators in the province, as per the directions of Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2019.