Sharmila calls for establishment of food testing lab

KARACHI: The Adviser to Chief Minister Sindh, Sharmila Faruqui has stressed on the establishment of a modern food-testing laboratory and re-activating the existing check and balance system to control the menace of adulteration.

She described adulteration of food items, an illegal and unethical practice which cheats the consumers and poses a serious risk to health and is unfortunately common in the country. She expressed these views at an exclusive session at Newports Institute of Communications and Economics (NICE) in connection with the World Health Day.

The session was arranged by Vice Chairperson, NICE Huma Bukhari and largely participated by students. Sharmila observed that lack of awareness among consumers regarding adulteration in daily use items and their harmful effects onhealth was of grave concern that needs to be addressed collectively by government run regulatory agencies, medical professionals and consumerrights protection organizations.

Huma Bukhari, who is also Chairperson FPCCI Standing Committee on Consumer Rights Protection, said that over the years there has been asteady rise in number of people suffering from food related aliments.

"Inexpensive products and waste materials injurious to health, are apparently added in daily use kitchen items to add weight and increase profits for the merchants as no appropriate consumers laws exist and food laws does not withstand", she regretted.

Huma was of the view that practice of adding harmful chemicals and adulterants in daily use kitchen items are common in our society with the connivance of regulatory bodies, price control committees and even police.

"It is high time for government to address health issues and frame appropriate consumers laws to prevent adulteration and bring the culprits into the ambit of law", she demanded.