Balochistan Food Authority destroys 2,000 litres of adulterated milk in Quetta, Loralai

QUETTA: On the special directions of Provincial Minister and Chairman Balochistan Food Authority Haji Noor Muhammad Dumar, the Balochistan Food Authority has launched a special province-wide campaign against adulterated and substandard milk and yoghurt. Under the campaign, milk sellers, shops, milk-carrying vehicles, milk suppliers and other suspected places were checked on a large scale in Quetta and Loralai, and the quality of milk was tested.

On the first day of the campaign, inspection teams took action in Quetta and Loralai and sealed two units. Eighteen outlets and milk suppliers were fined. During the operations, 59 milk-carrying vehicles and motorcycles and seven milk shops were inspected.

According to a spokesperson for the Balochistan Food Authority, the quality of a total of 19,221 litres of milk and a large quantity of yoghurt was tested. About 2,000 litres of milk and a large quantity of yoghurt found to be adulterated, substandard and harmful to human health were destroyed on the spot.

On-the-spot testing by mobile laboratory

Milk samples were tested on the spot through the Food Authority’s mobile laboratory. The tests found milk adulterated with water and skimmed milk. Where violations were proved, action was taken immediately and containers of suspected milk were also seized.

The inspection teams also took action on various violations by milk sellers and suppliers, including poor hygiene arrangements, improper storage, contaminated utensils, extremely poor cleanliness and doing business without a licence.

Director Operations of the Balochistan Food Authority headquarters Fakhruddin Marri said milk is a basic item of daily diet, so there would be no compromise on its quality and purity. He said on-the-spot testing through the mobile laboratory had been made more effective so that adulteration could be identified at once and the supply of substandard milk to the public could be stopped.

Fakhruddin Marri said adulterating milk with water, skimmed milk or other unauthorised ingredients was harmful to human health. He said milk sellers and suppliers must strictly follow food safety laws and hygiene rules, otherwise fines, sealing and other legal action would follow.

He said Food Authority teams would continue regular checks on the quality of milk in different areas. He appealed to the public to report the sale of adulterated, suspect or substandard milk to the Balochistan Food Authority so that timely action could be taken against those endangering public health.

Photo: courtesy DGPR Balochistan