The noodle affair

This refers to the news report, ‘Amitabh to ‘cooperate’ as Maggi row widens’ (June 4). A row is going on in India regarding the presence of excessive lead found in Maggi noodles. Excessive lead in noodles would have serious health problems for consumers. Amitabh Bachchan – the superstar of India – has been dragged into the controversy because of his earlier association with the brand.
In Pakistan, dangerous material in the production of various eatables is used but nobody gets apprehended. Dead rats, cockroaches and other insects have been shown lying near manufacturing machines and ‘raw material’. Selling donkeys’ and dead animals’ meat is normal here. One wonders whether any agency like the FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) exists in Pakistan that takes responsibility for public health by assuring that food products are safe, wholesome, clean and properly labelled. If it does, then where is it?
Air-Cdre (r) Azfar A Khan
Rawalpindi