LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) banned the use of ‘Ajinomoto’ also known as Chinese salt on Monday. This decision was taken on the recommendations of PFA Scientific Panel. The panel had stated that the Chinese salt had become a cause of several health diseases like headaches, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, memory loss and disturbed mental and nervous system. “As well as, it also effect on women during pregnancy,” the panel had stated. The panel further recommended that the salt’s use in restaurants, hotels and homes should be discouraged. “PFA should immediately take stern action for stopping its use in cooking,” it said. According to the Punjab Pure Food Regulations 2017, it is strictly forbidden the use of Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG) in weaning food, fats and oils, frozen meat and fish and other essential commodities. In this regard, PFA Director General Noorul Amin Mengal said that the main ingredient of Ajinomoto was MSG, which had adverse side effects on human health. “According to the Punjab Pure Food Regulations 2017, it is compulsory for all food industry to label in visible font size on their products about ‘Mono Sodium Glutamate’ is present on it and it is not fit for the consumption of people less than 12 months old. PFA is giving adjustment time for two months to all outlets manufacturing or selling the salt. PFA will take strict action against them if they continue selling it after March 31,” he said. Published in Daily Times, January 16th 2018.