PFA ploughs 487 Kanal vegetables irrigated with sewerage water

Lahore : Once again pulling up socks against farmers, Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has uprooted thousands of kilograms vegetable crops cultivated on more than 487 Kanal with industrial waste and sewerage water during a crackdown held against them in across Punjab. Teams have also sealed several tubewells that were being used as sources into the supply of chemical waste and polluted water.

On the special directions of Director General PFA Noor ul Amin Mengal, Food Safety Teams (FSTs) under the supervision of Food Safety Officers (FSOs) along with team members have visited fields in different districts of Punjab and inspected 8456 Kanal land in this respect.

According to details, sewerage water treated vegetables cultivated on the total area of 487 Kanal among 166 Kanal in Lahore, 154 Kanal in Rawalpindi and ploughed 167 Kanal of crops in Multan and its adjacent areas.

DG PFA Noor ul Amin Mengal said that PFA is doing work in collaboration with other departments to control the irrigation of vegetables with polluted water. He said that PFA has forwarded recommendations to the concerned departments for taking action against farmers for the elimination of polluted water sources which is being used in the process of irrigation.

PFA’s watchdogs have discarded chemical contaminated vegetable crops of turnip, onion, garlic and other vegetables by ploughing tractor.

Mr Mengal has appealed that citizen should focus on kitchen gardening for producing vegetables and fruits. PFA will continue crackdown till the ending of this wicked practice which is being done by farmers. He said that sewerage water treated vegetables become a cause of diseases and it is injurious to health for consumers.

Meanwhile ; As many as 20 food premises sealed and 71 Food Business Operators (FBOs)punished with heavy fine tickets of Rs508600 (0.508M)due to multiple hygiene issues and not compliance with PFA’s instructions.

The operation was monitored by respective area Director Operations and Deputy Director Operations. Whereas PFA has immediately stopped production of Basit Salt Processor by serving Emergency Prohibition Orders (EPO) and discarded substandard 1800kg chili.

PFA has discarded 30kg spoiled khoya, 60liters rancid oil, selling of expired carbonated drinks, gutka and other essential commodities by taking into possession from several food units. Teams have also taken samples of spices and chili powder which sent for laboratory test.

PFA is fully committed to ensure hygiene food in Punjab as per “Healthy Punjab” mission under its slogan “From Farm to Fork”. Teams have served improvement notices on various food points during operation.Teams have also served warning and improvement notices to dozen of food points, during raids.