Staff Report
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority (KPFS&HFA) has carried out major operations in Mardan, Swat and Peshawar, exposing units involved in the preparation and sale of substandard and counterfeit food products.
According to th authority’s spokesperson, a Food Safety team in Mardan’s Katlang area raided a residential premises where adulterated jaggery was being manufactured. The operation led to the seizure of 1,000 kilograms of adulterated jaggery, 500 kilograms of substandard jaggery and 100 kilograms of sugar. The unit was reportedly operating in extremely unhygienic conditions, with the product being supplied to local markets. Meanwhile, during inspections in the bazaar, a bakery unit was also sealed for poor hygiene standards.
In a separate raid in Mingora, Swat, a Food Safety team acting on a tip-off dismantled a unit producing counterfeit products of a multinational brand. The operation resulted in the recovery of 600 kilograms of fake spices, 210 kilograms of glucose, 800 kilograms of packaging reels, 100 kilograms of kheer, 40 cartons of packing material and two packing machines, all taken into government custody. An FIR was lodged against the unit owner, who was subsequently arrested.
Similarly, in Peshawar’s Town-IV area, the Food Safety team raided a warehouse and recovered 153 kilograms of expired ghee. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the warehouse owners.
KP Minister for Food, Zahir Shah Toru lauded the successful operations and praised the performance of the Food Authority. He reiterated that no compromise would be made on the health and safety of the public, adding that those involved in the production and sale of hazardous or counterfeit food items would face strict action. The minister directed the Food Authority to further accelerate operations against such elements across the province.
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