IFA cracks down on unhealthy refreshing drinks

As temperatures soar this summer, the sale of potentially harmful beverages has surged as people seek relief from the heat. Crowds have been seen flocking to soda and drink shops, many selling their products without meeting health standards.

Islamabad Food Authority (IFA), Deputy Director of Operations, Dr Tahira Saddique said that many beverage sellers were not maintaining a proper healthy environment. In a recent operation, the IFA seized a large consignment of faulty soda bottles.

The Food Authority team destroyed 4,000 bottles on the spot and imposed heavy fines for supplying contaminated water. The soda bottles contained poor-quality water and ingredients, risking public health. She emphasised that selling unsafe soda drinks, especially during extreme heat, was unacceptable.

Health experts have also raised concerns over the common practice of roadside vendors using unclean water to prepare refreshing drinks, including juices, lemonade (Nimbu Pani), tamarind plum drink (Imli Alo Bukhara), sugarcane juice, and ice cream falooda. This poses a serious threat to public health.

The head of a hospital’s emergency ward, Dr Imran Sarwar Sheikh, said, "One of the primary concerns is that these vendors are using raw ice, which is harmful to bacteria and carries a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria like E. These viruses can cause gastrointestinal illnesses when ingested."

"Raw ice may contain traces of dirt, debris, and other pollutants from the water source, further increasing the risk of contamination," said Dr Sheikh, adding that consuming drinks or food items that come into contact with raw ice can lead to food-borne illnesses, ranging from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to more severe symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and dehydration.