LAHORE, Jul 29 (APP):An enforcement team of Punjab Food Authority discarded 700kg of fungus infested carrots and ash gourd, 800kg of Murabba Ashrafi and other substandard food items while suspending the production of a murabba manufacturing unit during a raid in Bhagat Pura, Lahore. Operation was conducted on the order of Director General Punjab Food Authority Raja Mansoor Ahmad. Food safety team raided the murabba production unit and found murabba …
PFA shuts down murabba unit, discards 1,500kg fungus infested fruits. substandard murabba
LAHORE, Jul 29 (APP):An enforcement team of Punjab Food Authority discarded 700kg of fungus infested carrots and ash gourd, 800kg of Murabba Ashrafi and other substandard food items while suspending the production of a murabba manufacturing unit during a raid in Bhagat Pura, Lahore.
Operation was conducted on the order of Director General Punjab Food Authority Raja Mansoor Ahmad.
Food safety team raided the murabba production unit and found murabba being prepared from insect infested and fungus contaminated fruits. PFA took action after detecting serious violations of food safety regulations and ordered the immediate suspension of production.
Director General Raja Mansoor Ahmad said that poor sanitation arrangements and heavy insect infestation were observed throughout the unit. He said that fungus-infested ash gourd, carrots and other raw materials were being stored for use in food production.
He said that the unit owner was using prohibited chemicals to remove foul odours, insects and fungus from fruits and vegetables before processing. Non-food-grade blue plastic drums were also being used for storing fruits and vegetables.
He said that the unit failed to maintain proper storage conditions and could not produce mandatory expiry date records or food-grade certification. He said that the substandard murabba products were intended to be marketed across Punjab in attractive packaging to deceive consumers.
He further stated that strict action is being taken against the food fraud mafia that endangers public health for the sake of higher profits.
