Following action against substandard meat and milk in the province, Punjab Food Authority (PFA) sealed off a candy factory and a bakery in Iqbal Town for using rotten eggs and unhygienic baking process.The PFA team, headed by DG Operations Ayesha Mumtaz raided the store of a ‘famous bakery’ where it found stocks of rotten eggs being used for baking. The raiding team sealed off the store.The team of food authority also raided at a candy factory in Iqbal Town and found that the owners were minting money on the cost of children’s health. The unit was sealed off for using unhygienic baking process. Despite PFA’s continuous crackdown against substandard food in the province, the offenders are continuing injecting poison in the masses. The results of raids have been shocking in many cases, with children being fed food long past its expiry date, items cooked in rancid oil or food that has gone bad. The nature of what we buy is becoming a huge concern. Last Wednesday, PFA authorities accompanied by police apprehended a supplier bringing tonnes of pig meat into Lahore to be sold at shops. An investigation is on. In the past dog and donkey meat has been found at butcher’s shops in Lahore and Karachi, and we have all heard of meat being injected with dirty water to increase its weight or poultry being pumped full of steroids.Given the high rate of food contamination, the unknown content of what we buy and widespread adulteration in the country, the work the PFA is performing is important. Already a message has gone out to all eating businesses that they quite literally need to clean up their act or face action. Even some of the most expensive cafes in Lahore have been engaged in the task of examining their kitchens and improving standards. In a country where consumers have very little ability to protect themselves from commercial interests, the efforts of the PFA suggest what can be done in other areas. The protection being offered to people has been openly appreciated and we can only hope that the example set will encourage other departments to carry out their work as thoroughly. The unfortunate findings of the PFA indicate just how much needs to be done. The effort in Lahore should be only the beginning of a wider process designed to save all of us.
pk.shafaqna.com
