LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that samples of 30 dairy and 313 drinking water companies had been collected and sent to its laboratory for analysis.

Giving a statement before a two-judge bench on Tuesday, PFA Director General Noorul Amin Mengal said strict action would be taken if samples of any company were declared substandard.

The bench was hearing a petition against sale of substandard milk and drinking water moved by Barrister Zafarullah Khan of the Watan Party. Mr Mengal also filed a report showing action against milk products of poor quality.

The report stated that Dalda Dairies was sealed for manufacturing substandard liquid whitener (Cup Shup), Al-Fajar Dairy & Foods Ltd was also sealed while Acha Dairies was fined for not meeting the criteria required under the Punjab Pure Food Rules 2011.

The report revealed the PFA had canceled licence of Al-Fazal Foods for repeated violations of the rules and standards for running a food business. It further said the milk production of Doce Foods was stopped and it was also served with notice to remove shortcomings. A fine of Rs500,000 was imposed on the company.

The report disclosed that Gourmet Foods had improved its shortcomings regarding microbiological issues in fresh milk. However, the bench, being unimpressed by the report, directed the PFA DG to submit a comprehensive report on the matter.

A report of the PCSIR, previously filed with the court, stated that except Haleeb Milk, all samples taken from UHT (ultra-high-temperature) standardised milk manufacturers were found fit for human consumption. While the report on pasteurised milk said all samples, except Prema milk, were found to be unfit for human consumption.

Barrister Khan contended that use of contaminated and substandard milk had been causing serious diseases among the citizens, including cancer and hepatitis-C. He asked the court to ban use of contaminated, adulterated milk and water, sale of quick growth poultry as well as sale of injections being used for buffaloes for milking.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2016