PFA conducts raids on loose spices manufacturers

The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Saturday sealed two grinding and a salt processing unit on adulteration charges while carrying out an operation to control the sale of loose spices in Okara.

Meanwhile, the authority has confiscated 7,000kg loose spices, five grinding units and a huge quantity of raw material during different raids.

PFA watchdog teams sealed Haji Munawar, Haji Rehman Atta Masala Chaki and Karmanwala Namak (salt) owing to produce loose spices. This was informed by PFA Director General Captain (R) Muhammad Usman.

He said that red chilli powder was being produced by adding substandard and hazardous ingredients in it including loose non-food grade colours and chemicals.

The raiding teams also took action against them for not printing or labeling on packing, poor arrangements of cleanliness, poor storage system, an abundance of insects and non-compliance with authority instructions.

Apart from that, workers of the units did not have medical certificates. Muhammad Usman mentioned that the use of unsafe ingredients in loose spices may cause to stomach and intestine ulcer, as well as fatal diseases.

Food business operators would not allow any food business operator to sale below the standard spices especially without completion of labeling and packing law in Punjab, he added.