Proper refining, processing of oil & ghee stressed

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority had an orientation session with wholesale dealers/distributors of edible oil/ghee on Monday.

Assistant Commissioner Peshawar, KP Food Department representatives, Health Department representatives and Food Fortification Programme were in attendance as well. The purpose was to discuss the prevailing situation of malnutrition in KP, the role of Food Fortification Programme in addressing the micronutrient malnutrition; to ensure compliance with edible oil/ghee refining/processing/fortification standards and to overcome selling of substandard/loose oil/ghee in the open market. The FFP Provincial Programme manager for oil fortification gave a detailed overview of the programme and shared progress and way forward to address vitamin A&D deficiencies through adequate fortification of oil/ghee.

The official shed light on the importance of Vitamins A & D for physical and mental growth of under-five children and pregnant women.Moreover, Director, Technical, KP Food Safety and Halal Authority, Dr Abdul Sattar Shah, explained requirements and standards for refining, processing and fortification of edible oil/ghee. He directed the wholesale distributors to demand the standardized product from millers as well as their large distributor. The official added in order to ensure availability of standardized, safe and healthy edible oil/ghee to consumers, proper refining, processing & fortification was mandatory.

Therefore, all wholesaler and distributors should stop the sale of such oil as soon as possible as after the grace period of two months a strict action will be taken. The assistant commissioner emphasized on registering anonymous complaints at KPFSA Online Complaint portal as well as Citizens Complaint Portal for taking prompt action against those involved in such business. At the end, Provincial Programme manager of the FFP thanked the participants for making it convenient to attend the session.