MINGORA: The members of civil society alleged here on Tuesday that despite orders of consumer court, the district administration failed to take action against the owners of factories producing substandard chips, snacks and other food items.

They said that the consumer court on March 8, 2018 had directed the district administration, district food controller and other relevant departments to ban and check the supply of all noisome, injurious and substandard items including chips, crusts, specks, tamarind and ice-creams in Swat.

“The court also directed the relevant departments to collect samples of those items and send them to the laboratories, and, if the report is received in negative, the concerned persons should be strictly dealt with,” said Mohammad Amjad, a former village council nazim from Kokhi area.

He said that the court also directed the relevant authorities to take proper action regarding prohibition of various items in plastic bags.

Mr Amjad said that despite the direction of the consumer court, no proper action was taken against the owners of the factories as the relevant authorities did not collect the samples of the items.

The civil society members said that sale of substandard snacks, chips and other food items was increased manifold that affected children’s health.

“All the local food items, snacks and chips are packed in plastic bags. Children throw the packing in the streets that ultimately block the drains,” said Akhtar Ali. He added that the district administration must take action against the snack factory owners for packing the food items in plastic bags.

The civil society members demanded of the district administration and other relevant authorities to follow the consumer court order and take action against the owners of factories manufacturing substandard chips, snacks and other food items and packing them in plastic bags.

Mohammad Asad, the assistant director of KP Food Safety and Halal Food Authority, when contacted, said that he had a meeting with all the factory owners after receiving the court orders. He said that he shared the SOPs with them.

“We also pay surprise visits to the factories and shops to check snacks, chips and other food items,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2019