LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) cracked down on fruit hoarders across the province and sealed at least 13 cold stores.
Unripe fruits are stored and coated with calcium carbide by hoarders before Ramazan. These substandard food items and fruits are then sold at skyrocketing prices during the holy month due to increased market demand.
PFA sealed 41 warehouses and 13 cold stores across Punjab, according to reports.
As many as 2,100kgs of apples, 3,400kgs of mangoes, and 2,400kgs of pears and peaches had been laced with calcium carbide, according to PFA Director General (DG) Noor-ul-Amin Mengal. Fruits laced with the chemical have been disposed of, he added.
A cold store each has been sealed in Jehlum, Mianwali, Vehari, Rahim Yar Khan, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab and Gujranwala, while four cold stores have been sealed in Kasur and Lahore. Additionally, two cold stores have been shut down in Multan.
Meanwhile, Lahore General Hospital’s emergency ward’s canteen, and main cafeteria’s juice and pizza sections were sealed by the PFA.
Mengal said that expired products and substandard chicken was being used to make pizzas and rotten fruits were being used to make milkshakes.
Moreover, 37 ice factories have been sealed by the authority in various cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan.
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