Special Assistant to the Punjab Chief Minister for Food Salma Butt, accompanied by officials of the Punjab Food Authority (PFA), carried out a major crackdown against the adulteration mafia in various parts of Rawalpindi, destroying tonnes of substandard flour on Tuesday.  The operations were conducted in Ratta Amral, Ganjmandi and Jamia Masjid Road areas, targeting food points and production units involved in the sale and manufacture of substandard food items. 

During the inspections, the PFA officials discarded 3.7 tonnes of adulterated gram flour, one tonne of adulterated wheat flour and 980 kilograms of substandard refined flour on the spot. Moreover, first information reports were registered against two food points found involved in adulteration.  The officials said rat droppings and dead rats were found at some food outlets, prompting the imposition of fines amounting to Rs200,000, while four others were sealed immediately over extremely poor hygiene conditions, the use of unsafe food ingredients and confirmed adulteration. 

Speaking on the occasion, Salma Butt said there was no room in Punjab for those who endangered public health. She said elements involved in food adulteration were not only violating the law but also putting citizens’ lives at risk, adding that action was being taken under a zero-tolerance policy.  She said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had issued clear instructions that no compromise would be made on food quality across the province.

Those found preparing or selling adulterated or substandard food would face strict legal action, regardless of their influence, she added.  The special assistant said efforts were under way to further strengthen and activate the Punjab Food Authority to ensure the provision of safe, standard and healthy food to every citizen.  She urged the public to report adulteration or the sale of unsafe food through the PFA’s helpline 1223.  

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)