ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: State Minister for Interior Baligh-ur-Rehman on Thursday apprised the National Assembly that Islamabad Food Authority would be established like on the pattern of Punjab Food Authority in order to regulate food business.
Replying to a question regarding steps taken by the present government to stop food adulteration in Islamabad, he said that legal committee of Islamabad Capital Authority (ICT) had finalized its recommendation and soon it would be presented before the ministry for approval.
He said that Punjab Food Authority had performed well in taking action against food adulteration; therefore experts from Punjab were also invited to learn from their expertise.
The minister said that effective camping had been launched in Islamabad to control sale of haram/unhygienic meats.
Seven monitoring teams, headed by Assistant Commissioners, have been constituted, comprising of health inspectors, food inspectors and livestock officials, he said.
He said that no harm meat has been found in Islamabad, however, 4380 Kg, meat was confiscated/ destroyed being unhygienic.
The minister said that proposed Islamabad Food Authority would regulate and monitor the manufacturing, processing, distribution, transportation, storage, sale and import of food item, so as to ensure safe food for the public.
He said that this Food Authority will issue procedure for licensing of food business and promote food safety and standard and awareness of food laws.
He said that total fine of Rs 15 million were imposed in ongoing campaign In Islamabad to check adulteration, adding so far number of samples taken is 789, number of challans sent to courts 402, FIRs registered 42 and 94 persons arrested.
Answering to another question, the minister said that ICT launched campaing against adulterated milk.
The minister ICT was also running awareness campaign, targeting dairy farmers, to highlight side-effects of Oxytocin injections, whose residual particles enter milk, causing aborting and early onset of puberty.
The minister said that food adulteration had been reduced and situation was much better as compared to past but still more work and efforts were needed to achieve 100 percent results.
