PFA bans sale of loose eatables

FAISALABAD: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has imposed a complete ban on the sale of loose eatables, including spices, pulses and oil, in the province.

It was informed by PFA Director General Noorul Amin Mengal while addressing the members of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Friday. Mengal said that substandard and adulterated food items had added unbearable health burden on provincial kitty and the government had to spend a huge amount of Rs 300 billion per annum on extending medical-related facilities to the needy segments of the society. He said that the same amount was being spent on their treatment by the people. Thus in total, he added, it had become a huge amount that needs immediate rectification in our system of eatables. He said that young people were becoming victims of heart-related diseases due to adulteration in food items. He said that 90 per cent diseases were directly caused by the adulterated food items. He told that he had taken over the charge of PFA DG one year ago and during this period necessary work had been completed.

We had recruited 2,000 Food Safety Officers, he said and added that this task was to be completed by the end of this year but we had completed it on August 14 this year. We had also raised a strong fleet of 300 vehicles that was helping in regular checking, surveillance and enforcement of related laws on all spectrums of food items, he added. Continuing, Mengal told that the PFA had taken proactive steps to encourage fortified flour, oil and salt to overcome the issue of malnutrition. He clarified that the objectives of the PFA was not to discourage the healthy economic activities but we want to reorganise the food industry on well-defined scientific lines by strictly adhering to the globally recognised standards. Regarding colouring of red chilli and pulses, he said that the colours used for this purpose were carcinogenic in nature and hence their use in food items was completely prohibited. He told that after the ban on the sale of loose spices, pulses and other items, the sale of open milk would also be banned.

Earlier, Shabbir Hussain Chawla appreciated the various steps taken by the PFA and demanded that the FCCI should be given due representation in the newly created Punjab Food Board.