PFA seals fake cola drink factory

• 9,500 bottles of fizzy drinks, raw material of 10,000 bottles confiscated

LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Sunday sealed a factory for producing and illegally refilling bottles of the different popular brands of soft drinks, registering a case against those involved with the respective police station.

A team of PFA under the supervision of Director General Noor-ul-Amin Mengal conducted a raid in the desolate area near in the bank of Ravi. The DG said that the raid was conducted on a tip-off to the vigilance cell. The insiders had observed that fake bottles were being supplied in the local market.

He said that the food safety team seized a total of 9,500 filled bottles of fizzy drinks including 6,500 bottles of Sting and 3,000 Pepsi bottles. A total of 10,000 bottle’s raw material was also found in the factory which was confiscated, later discarded.

“The PFA has rooted out machinery from the site including gas cylinders, filling machines, compressors, motors and other things,” Mengal added.

Meanwhile, the PFA DG also checked the ice cream factories by conducting surprise visits during the weekly holiday. He also appreciated a dairy ice cream factory for bringing improvements and changes in the manufacturing of ice cream as per the SOPs and instructions of the authority.

He said that the teams were fully dynamic and checking beverages, ice cream, ice and other products which are consumed mostly in the summer season. “The PFA is appreciating all those food business operators who are producing their products by complying with the PFA’s instructions and rules,” he mentioned.