–28,857 litres of impure milk disposed of across province
LAHORE: Following the directions of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has held a province-wide operation against adulterated milk by placing screening pickets for inspecting the quality of milk on Friday morning. The purpose of the drive was to control the wicked practice of milk adulteration.
During the vigorous operation, Dairy Safety Teams (DSTs) of PFA disposed of 28,875 litres of adulterated milk being carried on 118 vehicles from farmhouses and factories to supply in markets and houses whereas the authority inspected thousands of litres in 36 districts of Punjab.
This was informed by PFA Director General (DG) Captain (R) Muhammad Usman while monitoring the DSTs’ activities in the provincial metropolis. Screening pickets were held in Lahore under the supervision of Director General. He said that food authority disposed of 24,140 litres substandard milk carried on 40 vehicles in North Zone and 530 litres on 14 milk vehicles in South Zone. Moreover, dairy teams discovered 1,510 litres of contaminated milk from 225 vehicles in Lahore.
The DG informed that said that harmful powder, chemicals and polluted water were found in the milk during conducted screening tests of the milk samples on the spot and take immediate action as per the test’s report. He said that adulterated ingredients were used to increase the thickness and quantity of milk. He further said that food authority is doing work to apply the pasteurisation law in order to ensure the availability of safe milk in markets.
Muhammad Usman said the operation held on the special directions of Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan which given during chaired Cabinet Meeting yesterday. He added that Prime Minister has been constituted a committee to ban on the sale of loose milk and ensure the practical implications on pasteurisation law. He added that PFA is doing crackdown against milk adulteration mafia at every level for controlling the wicked practice of milk adulteration. PFA would take all necessary and concrete steps to ensure the provision of food, especially milk as per the vision of Prime Minister.
MILK PACKAGING:
Meanwhile, the PFA has decided to hold a conference in order to prepare a comprehensive strategy regarding the provision of safe milk and the introduction of economical packaging. The authority will invite all stakeholders of the food industry in the conference including investors, farmers and people from different walks of life.
This decision was taken during chaired a meeting by PFA Director General Captain (R) Muhammad Usman at his office on Friday. He said that a roadmap will prepare for the provision of best and low-cost packaging for small farmers at rural levels. He informed that policy (pasteurisation law) will be cleared in the conference to make it beneficial and friendly for the farmers.
The execution of pasteurization law will comfort with the help of farmers, industry and other stakeholders. It is compulsory to prepare a comprehensive policy to fulfil the consummation of millions of litres milk for the population of Punjab.