The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Saturday sealed a grinding unit on account of adulteration and confiscated 6,000kg tainted spices during a raid conducted in the area of Haji Park Shalimar Town, Lahore.
The operation was led by PFA Director General Irfan Memon. He said that red chilli powder was being prepared by adding chemicals, non-food graded colours and sawdust in the fungus-infested chilli whole. The team also witnessed poor storage system and worst condition of hygiene. Apart from that, workers of the unit did not have medical certificates and its administration also failed to produce a record. The director general further said that the grinding unit was also neglecting the previous instruction of the authority which had given to food business operator before this visit.
Irfan Memon said hazardous spices were supplied to different local shops after packing in the prominent brands packaging. He added that the use of adulterated spices leads to stomach and intestinal diseases so that’s why people should to ‘prefer homemade food’ instead of consuming readymade products. He said that the Punjab Food Authority is vigilantly monitoring the food industry to ensure the provision of spices from processing process to at shops.