LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Monday declared china salt (Ajinomoto) as injurious to health and banned its use for all food items.

A decision to the effect was taken on the recommendations of PFA scientific panel. According to the analysis, china salt is causing several health issues including headache, blood pressure, heart palpitations and memory loss. The salt also leaves its effect on women during pregnancy.

The penal recommended that china salt was mostly used in restaurants, hotels and homes and suggested immediate action for stopping its sale.

Punjab Pure Food Regulations 2017 provides for preventing use of Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG) in weaning food, fats and oils, frozen meat and fish and other essential commodities.

PFA Director General Noorul Amin Mengal said the main ingredient of Ajinomoto was MSG that was leaving negative effects on human health.

He said under the law, it was compulsory for all food industry to label in visible font size on their products about “Mono Sodium Glutamate” presence.

He said PFA had given two-month adjustment time to all food industry and the authority would take action in case of violation after March 31.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2018