Live rats in tomato paste, adulterated milk detected during food safety drive in DI Khan

Dera Ismail Khan , Nov 15 (APP):The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority (KPFSHA) conducted a week-long series of inspections and enforcement operations across Dera Ismail Khan, checking food processing units, bakeries, milk shops, grocery stores and restaurants to ensure compliance with food safety standards and protect consumers from adulterated, substandard and unhygienic food products.

During an inspection of a food processing unit, the food safety team discovered extremely unhygienic conditions at the premises where food items were being prepared and stored. Live rats were found in tomato paste, raising serious concerns about food safety and public health. The team immediately confiscated and destroyed the entire stock of tomato paste found at the site. The premises were subsequently sealed, while a fine was also imposed on the business for poor sanitation, unhygienic food handling practices and other serious violations of food safety regulations.

In a separate enforcement drive in Imamia Colony, teams inspected various bakeries, milk shops and grocery stores, checking food storage arrangements, cleanliness and compliance with prescribed hygiene standards. Shopkeepers were directed to improve sanitary conditions and strictly follow food safety regulations.

Similar inspections were conducted in Paharpur, where food outlets, bakeries, milk vendors and grocery stores were examined. The teams issued instructions to business owners to maintain proper cleanliness, ensure safe food handling and comply with the standards prescribed by the authority.

On Multan Road, particularly in the Fateh Mor area, the food safety team utilised its mobile laboratory to examine milk and edible oil samples on the spot. Testing revealed water adulteration in milk, while unhygienic conditions were also observed at certain outlets. Fines were imposed on the violators, and milk sellers were warned against adulteration and negligence in maintaining hygiene standards.

The authority also carried out inspections of milk shops along Multan Road, where the teams closely examined the quality of milk, cleanliness of premises and food handling practices. Action was taken against those found involved in water adulteration and maintaining unsatisfactory sanitary conditions.

On Chashma Road, various bakeries, milk shops and grocery stores were inspected. The food safety teams assessed the overall hygiene arrangements and issued improvement notices to businesses found requiring corrective measures.

Meanwhile, restaurants and food points in different parts of the district were also inspected. The teams checked kitchen cleanliness, food preparation methods, storage facilities and compliance with food safety requirements. Fines were imposed for violations, while expired edible oil and beverages were confiscated and destroyed to prevent their sale and consumption.

During inspections in Saddar Bazaar and Eidgah areas, the teams examined bakeries, milk shops and grocery stores. Expired food products were recovered from a shop, prompting enforcement action and the imposition of a fine on the concerned business.

In Syed Nagar, milk outlets were inspected to assess the quality of milk and compliance with hygiene requirements. Water adulteration in milk and poor cleanliness were detected, leading to fines against the violators.

The food safety team also inspected bakeries, milk shops and grocery stores in the Sheikh Yousaf Chowk area, issuing notices to businesses for necessary improvements in hygiene and food handling arrangements.

Furthermore, inspections were conducted at milk shops in Abaya Bridge and Qureshi Mor areas, where milk samples were collected and tested. The testing process identified water adulteration, while poor sanitary conditions were also observed. The concerned shopkeepers were fined and directed to ensure the sale of pure milk and maintain proper hygiene at their premises.

An official of the KP Food Safety and Halal Food Authority said that regular inspections and enforcement measures were being carried out across the district to protect consumers from adulterated, expired and unhygienic food products.

The official emphasised that the authority would continue monitoring food businesses, using mobile laboratory facilities for on-the-spot testing and taking action against those violating food safety laws. He urged food business operators to maintain cleanliness, ensure proper storage and handling of food items and refrain from adulteration, warning that violations would invite strict legal action.

He also appealed to citizens to remain vigilant, purchase food products from hygienic outlets and report suspected adulteration or violations to the relevant food safety authorities.