Sale of carbonated, energy drinks banned in schools

LAHORE

Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has imposed a ban on sale of carbonated and energy drinks in public and private schools. 

This was decided in a meeting chaired by PFA Director General Noorul Amin Mengal on Thursday at his office with all stakeholders. He said carbonated drinks and energy drinks are included in the RED list of the authority. He said it was decided by higher authorities that the sale of these drinks should be banned in all schools of the provincial capital. He said the decision will be applicable once the schools will reopen after summer holidays. He said food items in GREEN list of PFA such as fresh fruits, milkshakes, Dahi bhalye, fruit chat and other dairy products will be sold in school canteens. He said carbonated drinks are not good for the health of teenagers and this is why the government has imposed the ban. The meeting discussed the use of industrial grade food colour in preparation of carbonated and energy drinks. The DG directed all the drinks manufacturing companies to improve their standards during the next two months otherwise be ready to face action. Meanwhile, PFA seized 3360-kg unhygienic meat from different cities. Officials said 660-kg meat was seized from Tolington Market in Lahore, 1600-kg from Multan, 410-kg from Gujranwala and 350-kg from Faisalabad. The DG directed his team to be vigilant and increase raids on meat sellers to ensure supply of hygienic and healthy meat to the citizens.