Ignorance on the part of policy makers regarding resolving basic issues of the public is quite evident from the fact that they have virtually failed to formulate rules against food adulteration in the federal capital, putting the health of approximately 1.7 million people at risk.
Currently, the Food Department of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) had been carrying inspections under Pure Food Ordinance 1960. Shopkeepers, on the other hand, cared less about the nominal fines imposed under the mentioned ordinance.
Though, the ICT Administration last year prepared “Islamabad Capital Territory Food Safety and Standard Act, 2011”, and had forwarded it to the standing committee concerned. But despite the lapse of one year, the mentioned ordinance was yet to be finalised by authorities concerned.
“Last year, on the direction of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Human Rights, we prepared ICT Food Safety and Standard Act 2011 and sent it to the committee but that act is yet to be finalised by the law ministry and HR Committee,” said an official working in the Chief Commissioner Office.
Owing to the absence of strict rules, businessmen, particularly Bakery Owners, did not care about the fines and used to sell substandard food items to consumers. Even last year, two people died after eating substandard food bought from a bakery located at Bharakau, a suburb area of the federal capital.
“Whenever we receive complaints from people, we visit the hotel and bakery shops for inspection. Frankly speaking, these businessmen were happy paying the nominal fines. This attitude has developed because we are bound to follow the Pure Food Ordinance 1960. So there is a dire need for new strict laws to replace the old system,” said Islamabad Assistant Director Food Chaudhry Afzal.
Last year a sub-committee of the NA Standing committee on Human Rights under the Chairmanship of Fauzia Habib took serious notice of food adulteration in Islamabad and directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and ICT administration to draft a bill proposing strict action against violators, however, in the on going year no significant development had appeared in that regard.
A source in ICT Food Department told Pakistan Today that Food Departments had never remained the top priority of authorities concerned as currently the ICT administration had only one food inspector for conducting inspection in the rural area against the three existing posts. Meanwhile, the CDA which was supposed to look after the affairs of urban areas had only two food inspectors.
“In 2012, a nominal budget of 1.5 lakhs was allocated for inspection purposes. It is impossible to conduct operations with such a minimal budget. We are also defaulters of Rs 3 lakhs of National Institute of Health against the fee of sample checking,” said a senior official of ICT Food Department.
He said that during the ongoing year, 105 food samples were taken from various areas. Out of the total, 57 challans were sent to the court. Even, FIRs were registered against seven shopkeepers, who while taking advantage of soft laws got bails in a few hours.
He further said that the draft also recommended strict penalties for selling food which was not in compliance with the law. “Any person, who sells to the consumer any food which is not in compliance with the provision of this act or the regulation made there under, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years and with fines not exceeding one million rupees,” he added.
Meanwhile, Assistant Controller Food, Chaudhry Afzal said: “Under aged-old law, sale of substandard, hygienic and adulteration food could not be properly controlled. Once new harsher laws are passed, the situation will change entirely.”
Action against food businesses would be taken under the following categories:
Sub-standard or misbranded food: Any person who manufactured for sale, stored, sold or distributed for imports any articles of food for human consumption which was sub standard or misbranded , should be punished with imprisonment for a team which may extend to three years and with fine not exceeding one million rupee.
False Advertisement: If any person who published or had published any advertisement which did not contain the true name of the person by whom the advertisement was provided for publishing and the address of his place of business, had committed an offence, than he/she would be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years and fine not exceeding more than one million rupees.
False or labeling not complying with regulations: Any person who prepared packages, labelled any food items which did not comply with the prescribed standard, would have committed an offence and would be liable to imprisonment or a term not exceeding three years and fine not exceeding one million rupees.
Any person who labelled any food in a manner that was false, misleading or deceptive, would have committed an offence and would be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years and fine not exceeding one million rupees.