PFA bans cultivation of vegetables and fruits alongside drains

Lahore : Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has warned to not to cultivate vegetables and fruits by sewerage water and water contaminated with textile wastes, as they cause fatal diseases (like hepatitis and cancer) for consumers. Otherwise, strict legal action will be taken against violators by discarding ready crops in the fields.

In this connection, PFA has issued final warning notice for not to cultivate from sewage water. PFA also taken concerned department on board by advising WASA and Industrial personnel to keep eye on such activities of growing edible crops by sewage and polluted water. PFA has also hinted to take departmental action against personnel ignoring their duties.

PFA Director General Noor ul Amin Mengal has expressed about the gravity of issue that use of vegetable and fruits grown from waste water are extremely fatal for human health and PFA can never compromise over health of people. PFA slogan of providing healthy food “From Farm to Fork” is not merely a saying but is our practical priority, he added. It is also intimated to those who are involved in such a heinous act, that such vegetables will be discarded on the spot and strict action will be taken against responsible people.

According to Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) report, in which revealed that use of sewerage water for cultivation of vegetables as well as for wheat and other crops is hazardous to human health. It added sewerage water is not only hazardous, but discharge of acids and chemicals from factories make it more dangerous.

In addition, PFA has also suggested an alternate way of using sewerage water by recommending its use in non-edible crops like bamboos, flowers and indoor plants.