We expect Sindh govt to also start an operation against outlets that fail to follow food health and safety standards
KARACHI: The selling of unhygienic food items goes unchecked in Karachi. Bakeries prepare products in unhygienic conditions, restaurants serve meals in poorly washed utensils and food factories prepare their products using harmful chemicals. Because of unhygienic food-intake, stomach diseases are common, including food poisoning, acidity and other illnesses. One still remembers the recent death of a child after eating a stale burger from a well-known bakery of the city, underscoring the serious threat caused by unhygienic food items, which people in this country take too lightly. Despite the media exposing unhygienic food quality, the authorities concerned are not paying due heed to this issue. Recent raids by the Punjab Food Authority on substandard food providers’ establishments in the province are a welcome step. The authority recently revealed that high-profile restaurants and top-end hotel chains have also been compromising on sanitation and hygiene.
We expect the Sindh government to also start an operation against outlets that fail to follow food health and safety standards on an immediate basis. Restaurants compromising on sanitation and cleanliness of food items should be heavily fined as they are engaged in playing with people’s lives. Eateries that sell unhygienic and substandard food should be sealed immediately. Awareness campaigns regarding the importance of clean and healthy food should also be initiated by the government and civil society organisations. Most importantly, people should stop buying unhygienic food items — for that matter, avoiding street food altogether would be an effective step and consumers should not hesitate complaining to the relevant authorities if they come across substandard food sales.
Haris Majeed
Published in The Express Tribune, August 25th, 2015.
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