Dying for tea

In a city already burdened by pollution, poor healthcare and unsafe water, the last thing its citizens need is poison in their food. And yet, that is exactly what they are being served daily. According to alarming new findings by the Sindh Food Authority, 100% of tea leaves and 90% of milk samples collected from Karachi's tea stalls are contaminated and laced with toxic chemicals.

This isn't a case of a few bad vendors. From corner shops to roadside stalls, unsafe food has become the norm across Sindh. The average citizen, whether drinking tea or buying milk for their family, is ingesting harmful substances every single day. Adulterated food is a serious threat to public health. These chemicals - often used to increase shelf life or fake colour and texture - can cause cancer, damage the liver and kidneys, disrupt hormones and impair child development. What is worse is that the poorest communities are hit hardest, relying on cheap, accessible food without knowing the risks involved. But where is the state? The Sindh Food Authority's job is not just to collect data but to act as well. Testing is only the first step. What follows must be a strict crackdown - licences must be cancelled and offenders must be prosecuted. But if the past is any indication, little will change. Press releases will be issued, social media outrage will flare - and fade. And the same toxic milk will keep getting poured into cups across Karachi.

This culture of criminal negligence must end. The provincial government must treat this as the public health emergency it is. Regular inspections, surprise raids, harsher penalties and a strong consumer complaint mechanism must be put in place immediately. Vendors should be given training and incentives to adopt safe practices, but there must be zero tolerance for those endangering lives for profit.