Punjab food watchdog boss dodges axe

LAHORE: Punjab government has decided to retain a top official of provincial food department to implement freshly imposed ban on carbonated drinks in the educational institutions, sources said on Tuesday.

“The government has retained services of Noorul Amin Mengal as Director General, Punjab Food Authority, dispelling speculations about his removal from the office under the pressure of certain quarters,” a source said.

The source said following an imposition of a ban on the sale of carbonated drinks in the educational institutions of the province, Mengal faces several challenges that include resistance against the implementation of the decision and a likely “marching order”.

Mengal was appointed less than a year back on this post. For the past several weeks, the issue of banning the sale of fizzy drinks by Punjab Food Authority (PFA) was in the limelight. Punjab food regulator declared soft and energy drinks unhealthy for kids and youngsters, while forbidding their sale in and around the educational institutions. The Punjab Food Authority claimed to have taken the decision, while keeping in view the adverse and harmful effects of carbonated and energy drinks on the human health.

Moreover, Punjab Food Authority top management warned the manufacturers and suppliers of stern action and penalties in the case of non-compliance.  “Our efforts are aimed at ensuring provision of healthy food to all,” Mengal said. “By such endeavours, the authority is only trying to keep growing children away from such drinks as they are harmful for their bone growth etc.”