The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has sealed a factory and confiscated more than 7,000kg tainted spices during an operation in the area of Shadi Pura Bund Road here on Tuesday.
PFA Director General retired Captain Muhammad Usman said that raiding team seized 5,620kg adulterated red chilli powder, 1,300kg hot pepper and 150kg turmeric. He said that contaminated chilli was being prepared by colouring the husks of rice. He further said that the team also found a huge quantity of sawdust, husk of rice, loose colours and many other ingredients during the raid. He told that action was taken against the factory after testing positive which conducted on the spot. Muhammad Usman said that these spices were supplied on the different small shops with different brand names after packing in attractive packaging. He added that authority has unearthed a factory after sting operation and surveillance of adulterated chilli supply chain.He said that the sale of spices completely banned in Punjab for the last several months because the use of adulterated and substandard spices cause several diseases among consumers.
The director general said that PFA will not compromise on the quality of food and will deal with iron hands to violators who will not meet the PFA food standards. Punjab Food Authority is doing work under the zero-tolerance policy against food adulterators in Punjab on the directions of Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar, he added.