PFA seizes 1,440 litres of substandard milk

LAHORE:

Punjab Food Authority (PFA) Operations Director Ayesha Mumtaz told The Express Tribune on Monday that the authority had launched a city-wide drive against adulterated and substandard milk.

She said the PFA had set up pickets on Monday at five entrances to the city – Thokar Niaz Beg, Bobhatian Chowk, Saggian Bridge, Babu Sabu and the Ravi Bridge – to check quality of milk being brought to the city. She said eight vehicles carrying 1,440 liters of milk were seized.

Mumtaz said that earlier this year, the PFA had discarded 160,000 litres of substandard milk. “PFA Food Safety inspectors obtain milk samples and check their quality. Some basic tests are carried out on the spot while a detailed inspection is done in labs.”

On Thursday, the PFA sealed Haideri Restaurant on Bund Road, Malmo Sweets and Bakers on Katar Bund Road, Fri Chicks on Sanda Road, Hello Food Products Factory in Shalimar Town and Zakir Tikka Shop in Faisal Town for not meeting food safety and hygiene standards. The authority also registered two FIRs and arrested four people in this regard.

The PFA also fined Regal Foods and Lahore Cafeteria on The Mall for selling poor quality food products and poor cleanliness.

The Jungle Café in Lahore Zoo was issued a warning over a minor violation of food standards.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2015.