LAHORE, June 10: An average 45.99 per cent of food samples collected from the provincial metropolis during the past 10 years were found adulterated or sub-standard on analysis.

The maximum and minimum percentage of adulterated and sub-standard samples of foodstuffs during the period ranged between 52.18 in year 1999 and 39.07 in 2001, according to the official record.

City District Government and defunct Metropolitan Corporation of Lahore food inspectors had collected 1,08,545 food samples during the past 10 years. Of these 49, 927 were found adulterated or sub-standard on analysis by the Government PublAnalyst and the Food Laboratory at the Jinnah Hall.

The actual number of adulterated and subs-standard food samples was much higher because the dealers and manufacturers got a sizable number was declared in accordance with the pure food standards after exercizing influence on the food inspectors and the laboratory staff.

Oils and fats and milk and milk products remained on top of the adulterated foodstuffs offered for sale in the provincial metropolis during the past 10 years with over 60 per cent adulteration ratio. Sweetening agents and beverages were the next among the most adulterated foodstuffs with over 50 per cent ratio of adulteration.

The food laboratory found 64.13 per cent samples of oils and fats sub-standard and adulterated on analysis. Of 9,829 samples sent to laboratory, 6,304 were found adulterated or sub-standard on analysis.

The percentage of sub-standard and adulterated milk and milk products samples was 61.337. Of 37,944 samples collected from milkmen and shops, 23,860 were found sub-standard and adulterated.

Of 3,769 samples of sweetening agents collected for analysis during the period under review, 1.889 were found sub-standard or adulterated. The percentage of such samples was 57.72.

As many as 8,141 samples of beverages were collected for analysis. Of these 4,278 were found sub-standard or adulterated. The percentage of such samples was 52.54.

Of 6.227 miscellaneous samples, 2,883 or 46.29 percent were found adulterated or sub-standard. The foodstuffs not falling in any of the eight prescribed categories are described as miscellaneous.

The percentage of adulterated and sub-standard samples of fruit and vegetable products was 34.91. Of 6,438 samples collected for analysis, 2.248 did not conform to the pure food standards.

Of 21,872 samples of sweets and bakery products, 5,964 (27.26 percent) were found adulterated or sub-standard. The percentage of adulterated and sub-standard samples was 21.63. Of 7,854 samples, 1,699 were found adulterated and sub-standard. Of 6,449 samples of cereals, 1,344 (20.77 percent) were found adulterated.

High food adulteration rate persisted during the past 10 years because of mild punishments. Fines totalling a few thousand rupees were imposed on most of them and no one was imprisoned despite a mandatory provision in the Pure Food law. No one was convicted for committing the offence for the second time either despite the mandatory legal provision because of non-maintenance of the record of convictions.