Sir: Pakistanis love to eat and as much as it is a human necessity, it is their little bundle of entertainment too. Whenever they feel bored they go out to eat and that sums up every weekend enjoyment. But people are aware of the poor food safety measures followed in Pakistan that results in food poisoning.
Although sale of unhygienic food or beverages is an offense in Pakistan under consumer laws but most eateries and bakeries continue to use low standard ingredients because there is weak implementation of laws especially when it comes to healthy living. All over the world, food inspection services seals a restaurant if they observe poor health condition, but unfortunately it doesn’t apply here in Pakistan. Instead it is observed that owners are usually fined an amount to save their restaurant.
The adulteration is not just limited to the ingredients. In most cases, not much health incentives are taken into consideration when preparing the food. The food is prepared in dirty kitchens infested with rats and insects. The cooks don’t take precautions like wearing gloves, hairnets, clean nails etc. No wonder if they even wash their hands before starting. As tempting as a road side stall looks, I myself avoid them. Nothing is authentic nowadays from water to milk, meat, chicken, oil everything is corrupted. So many people have died because of food poisoning. It’s like we’re living a disposable life.
According to the researchers the local laws and World Health Organisation (WHO) standards state that a restaurant must ensure five things to provide safe food: the food handler and cooking area is clean, water and raw materials used are safe, raw and cooked foods are stored separately, food (particularly meat and poultry) is cooked thoroughly and stored at appropriate temperatures.
Hopefully the government and the organisations responsible will take serious majors against this inhumane act. I as well as other fellow Pakistanis am looking forward to a more secure living.
AYESHA KHAN
Via email
Published in Daily Times, April 26th 2018.