50 oil, ghee firms ordered to withdraw stocks

Products found substandard, unfit for human consumption

LAHORE

Punjab food authority has directed around 50 oil and ghee manufacturers to withdraw their stocks from the market. 

Recently, the authority made public the quality report of all oil and ghee manufacturers across the province. According to the report several brands were declared unfit for human consumption and substandard. 

PFA held a meeting with Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association in February 2017 in which it was decided that all manufacturers were given a one month quality adjustment time to comply with the standards of PFA for oil and ghee. In March PFA took samples of around 120 oil and ghee brands form the open market and sent them to PCSIR laboratories for chemical and physical checking.

PFA officials said as per laboratory report 26 brands namely Commander Banaspati, Sultan Banaspati, Salva Banaspati, Shah Taj Banaspati, Gai Banaspati, Eva Sunflower, Kissan Sunflower, Season Banaspati, Sher Banaspati, Sher Cooking Oil, Zaika Banaspati, Umber Banaspati, Pure Royal Premium Banaspati, Sewera Banaspati, Yaad Gar Banaspati, Darja Awal Banaspati, Shahbaz Banaspati, Care Banaspati, Mujahid Banaspati, Dua Banaspati, Taza Banaspati, Hafiz Banaspati, Kausar Banaspati, Lafit Banaspati, Asia Banaspati, Darja Awal cooking oil were declared unfit for human consumption.

The substandard brands included Shan cooking oil, Islamabad Cooking oil, Marwa Cooking oil, Evian cooking oil, Asia pure cooking oil, Islamabad Banaspati, Handi cooking oil, Shah Taj premium cooking oil, Ashiyana Banaspati, Mamta Banaspati, Data Banaspati, Prime Banaspati, Handi Banaspati, Ghosiya Banaspati, Mehr Banaspati, Soya Supreme Banaspati, Inam Banaspati, Rani Gold Banaspati, Taza Gold Banaspati, Rehmat Banaspati, Swad Banaspati, Malta Banaspati, Khebr Banaspati and Askari Banaspati.

Spokesperson of PFA said strict action will be taken against those who failed to comply with the directions of the authority.

He said once these brands withdrew their stocks from the market they will be given another one month to improve their products according to the standards.

He said their samples will be taken again before they launch their products in the market.