The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) launched a province-wide crackdown against milk adulteration and disposed of 53,616 litres of chemical and water contaminated milk here on Wednesday. The authority overall inspected 2041 milk vehicles by placing screening check on the entry and exit points in each district of Punjab.
This was informed by PFA Director General (DG) Captain (R) Muhammad Usman. He briefed the operation statists, said that out of 53,616, the PFA teams caught 27,239 litres adulterated milk only in Lahore Region being carried on 182 vehicles for supplying on local shops in different cities from dairy farms.
In Lahore, dairy teams disposed of 6,654 litres of milk that was loaded on 60 vehicles out of total 244 vehicles. While, adulterated milk was caught in the area of Gujjumata, Saggiyan, Ravi Toll Plaza, Thokar Niaz Baig and Raiwind area. He added that PFA has checked 122 vehicles in Kasur among 94 vehicles carrying 16,550 litres of adulterated milk.
Dairy teams have taken milk samples for screening test on the spot for ensuring the availability of adulterated free milk in Punjab. Usman said that PFA is conducting tests of packed milk regularly besides of loose milk. He added that Pakistan is including in few countries where milk pasteurizing policy was lacking but PFA is doing work on it in collaboration with other departments to curb the sale of adulterated milk that to be implemented in Punjab as soon. PFA will increase the number of surprise visits to frequently checking of milk quality, he mentioned.
Separately, provincial food regulatory body closed down three food businesses including two school canteen and one water plant for violating the rules of the PFA Act. According to details, an enforcing team raided Koshan pure Water and sealed it for failing to produce medical certificates of its workers and using PFA logo without getting permission from the authority. Besides, PFA sealed canteen of KPSI Cadet School and College in Ravi Town and Dara-e-Arqam at Barki Road for not complying with the authority’s instructions, selling carbonated drinks, failed to produce medical certificates of workers and for failing to maintain the hygiene working environment.
PFA imposed Rs60,000 cumulative fine on eight eateries and served warning notices on 58 food points for improvement.