The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has closed down 20 manufacturing units of desi ghee and khoya products while sharing the screening results of sampling here on Sunday.
These units were sealed on account of adulteration and sub-standard operations. Meanwhile, the food safety teams have stopped production of eight units, punished 64 others besides serving 324 warning notices. This was informed by PFA Director General Captain (R) Muhammad Usman.
He said that the authority examined 139 production units in Lahore Zone, 55 in Rawalpindi, 37 in Multan and 32 in Muzaffargarh Zone. He said that chemically contaminated desi ghee was sold after adding artificial flavours, loose colours and fragrance in Banaspati ghee. Further, the khoya units were sealed over proved adulteration of skimmed milk, vegetable oil and powdered milk in khoya. He said that PFA’s enforcement teams have confiscated more than 1,100kg unwholesome food including 695kg tainted khoya, 200kg banaspati ghee, 154kg powdered milk, 50kg semolina and a huge quantity of chemicals. Muhammad Usman mentioned that the use of adulterated khoya and fake desi ghee become causes fatal diseases for people.
PFA Chairman Umer Tanvir Butt said that Punjab Food Authority will not allow anyone to food adulteration at any level. He has appealed the public to prefer homemade food instead of consuming readymade products.