Fake ketchup production unit sealed

LAHORE:The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has rooted out a ketchup production unit and stopped production of two food production units on account of adulteration and substandard operations while carrying out an operation under the supervision of PFA Director General Irfan Memon.

The provincial food regulatory body also lodged an FIR against those running fake ketchup production unit after rooting out the machinery, including three gas cylinders, two grinding machines, two burners, two weighing machines, motor and non-food graded drums.

The Punjab Food Authority also discarded 1,300kg substandard ketchup, 400kg pulp, 400kg starch and a huge quantity of loose colours and chemicals.

Irfan Memon said that fake ketchup of famous brands was being prepared with hazardous ingredients. He said that the raiding team also witnessed fake labelling and worst condition of hygiene.

Apart from that, the production unit was being run without getting a food licence from PFA. He said that the raid was conducted on a tip-off of the vigilance cell. Similarly, a PFA team stopped the production of ABN Foods and SBN Foods in Kenchi Bazaar by imposing emergency prohibition orders. The Punjab Food Authority DG said that PFA did not only seal the premises of the adulterators but also seized the machinery after rooting it out during the raid.