Daily Times

LAHORE: In its crackdown on milk adulteration, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) Sunday destroyed 4,390 litres of contaminated milk, which was being transported for sale in different cities.

Around 179 vehicles transporting milk were intercepted at the PFA pickets in different division of Punjab.

In Lahore, the PFA discarded 1,710 litres of contaminated milk by intercepting vehicles transporting milk at its pickets in Sagian Bridge and Raiwind Road areas. Besides, two milk shops were sealed on account of milk adulteration. The authority also seized 1,640 litres of contaminated milk recovered from the shops. However, shopkeepers managed to escape.

In Faisalabad, the PFA teams under the supervision its Director General Noorul Ameen Mangal intercepted 110 vehicles and destroyed 990 litres of tainted milk.

Despite tough checks on milk adulteration by the PFA, the practice is still on the rise.

According to different media reports, the most common adulterant in Pakistan is water with 73 percent, followed by detergent 32 percent, cane sugar 22 percent, caustic soda 20 percent and rice flour 17.

More than 3,000 milk shops are registered with the PFA. The PFA had arrested several people involved in the crime during a special crackdown on milk sellers in the last few months but desired results were still a far cry.

According to the PFA, the crackdown was conducted in different divisions of Punjab to restrain the sale of substandard milk and provision of safe and healthy milk to the citizens. “PFA is not only curbing milk adulteration but also taking a strict action against those who are storing milk in blue drums,” said a PFA statement.