LAHORE - The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Monday in Punjab banned the sale and use of Chinese salt (Ajinomoto) across the province.

According to the scientific panel of Punjab Food Authority (PFA), the salt contained monosodium glutamate (MSG) which is a harmful chemical and known to cause health problems like headache, heart disease and other mental and physical illnesses.

The chemical also contributed to problems related to blood pressure and hyper-tension. It is also harmful for pregnant women, according to PFA.

The food regulator asked restaurant owners and frozen food manufacturers to immediately stop the use of Ajinomoto in their food and products while giving them a deadline of March 31 to implement the order.