PFA Discards 9000 Cans Of Energy Drinks Across Province

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Mar, 2018 ) :In a province-wide operation against energy drink companies, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has discarded 9000 cans of energy drinks on violations of given instructions.

Operation was launched against energy drink manufacturing companies and importers throughout the province on the directions of PFA Director General Noorul Amin Mengal here on Monday. PFA Additional Director General (Operations) Rafia Haider said that PFA several times warned for labelling instructions prominently in urdu language but they did not take it seriously on which strict action was taken against them.

Also, caffeine level was found high and not up to the standards of the PFA Punjab Pure Regulation 2017. She said that caffeine level should be less than 200ppm but it was found more than 300ppm level during conducted tests, which is injurious to health.

Moreover, regular use of energy drinks becomes a cause of blood pressure, hypertension, obesity and many other diseases. ADG Operations has appealed citizens to give their children fresh juices, fruits, milk and other healthy food products.

She further said that industry is bound to mention on their products energy drinks is not suitable for pregnant women and children.

Separately, a massive crackdown was also launched under the supervision of food safety officers in Punjab.

The teams raided on hundreds of food businesses and sealed 8 food points and imposed Rs 437000 fine on more than 60 Food business Operators. PFA sealed food premises and imposed fine on poor food hygiene issues during operation in order to ensure the implementation of PFA regulations.

According to statistics, PFA has sealed 3 food businesses in Rawalpindi division, 1 in DG Khan and 2 each in Gujranwala and Faisalabad divisions. Whereas PFA's watchdogs imposed Rs 16500 fine on 3 eateries in Multan, Rs 24500 fine on 6 shops in Sargodha, Rs 59000 fine on 17 food points in Rawalpindi, Rs 10500 fine on 5 food outlets in Faisalabad, Rs 109000 fine on 13 food points in Gujranwala, Rs 130000 fine in Sahiwal and Rs 87500 fine in DG Khan.

Further, teams discarded huge quantity of tea-whitener, animal fat, 115 litres adulterated milk, chicken, non-food grade colour and bakery items during the operations. PFA has also served warning notices to dozens of food points on minor violation of the law. APP/saa/zqr