Acid-washed ginger which is highly hazardous for health is being sold at the fruit and vegetable market (Sabzi Mandi).
A senior ICT administration official said following a number of complaints, the Administration and Food Department had raided three wholesale shops and taken samples of ginger.
Market sources said that ginger treated with acid was being sold in markets, as wholesalers had dipped ginger in acid to make it heavier.
“The dipped ginger not only becomes heavy, but also looks clean, and that attracts customers,” said a vendor.
“We have sent samples to the National Institute of Health (NIH) for a chemical analysis and businessmen have been asked to stop selling ginger which looks washed in acid, till the NIH releases its report,” Food Assistant Director Chaudhry Afzal told Pakistan Today. He said the Food Department would start taking action once the NIH report is received. Offenders could face up to three months of imprisonment and Rs 2,000 in fine, he added.
The sale of acid washed ginger has been reported several times in the past. IN 2006, following a confirmation report from the NIH, the administration had banned the sale of ginger cleaned with acid. However, this issue had resurfaced again.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Haji Farooq, a wholesale dealer, said that ginger was being imported from neighbouring countries and traders in the Sabzi Mandi could not be blamed for such practices. He said that acid washed ginger was not being sold in markets.
