BFA wakes up after tea poisons five

Balochistan officials to investigate case and submit report

QUETTA:

The health of at least five women and children deteriorated after reportedly consuming poisonous tea, prompting swift action from the Balochistan Food Authority (BFA).

The incident, which occurred recently, has brought food safety in the region under scrutiny.

BFA Director General Attiqullah Khan has ordered an immediate response, including dispatching a special mobile inspection team from Quetta. The team, along with a zonal inspection unit, will investigate the matter thoroughly and submit a detailed report.

In a telephonic discussion with the Deputy Commissioner of Barkhan, DG Atiqullah stressed the need for rigorous measures to prevent such incidents. "Inspection teams have been given specific tasks, and a special campaign to monitor the quality of food items will commence this week in Barkhan," he assured.

The BFA has also announced plans to inspect local food outlets and initiated a provincewide drive to ensure compliance with food safety standards.

Meanwhile, Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran, the provincial minister for Public Health Engineering, who represents Barkhan in the assembly, has also taken notice of the incident. The minister directed health officials to enhance their efforts to provide timely treatment and medicines to the affected individuals.

This unfortunate episode underscores the pressing need to improve food safety mechanisms and ensure public health protection across Balochistan.

The province is not the only one whose residents have fallen victim to poisonous consumables. In September, the Chemical Laboratory in Rohri, Sukkur district, confirmed the presence of toxic substances, including insecticide and benzodiazepine in a meal that took the lives of 13 people of a family in Pir Jo Goth in Khairpur district, Sindh.

However, the police were unable confirm whether the incident was perpetrated or if these toxic elements were accidentally mixed in the food.

Gul Baig Brohi, his wife, their five daughters, three sons, his brother and two relatives died over a week's time after consuming poisonous food on August 18.

"We are treating this case with the utmost seriousness given the loss of innocent lives, including children. We are committed to ensuring that justice is served and that those responsible are held accountable," SSP Khairpur Dr Samiullah Soomro told the media.