LAHORE: In a province-wide operation against energy drinks manufacturing companies, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has discarded 9,000 cans of such drinks over violations of given instructions.

According to a handout, the operation was launched against energy drinks manufacturing companies and importers throughout the province on the directions of PFA Director General Noorul Amin Mengal on Monday.

PFA Additional Director General (operations) Rafia Haider said the authority had repeatedly warned these companies to label their products prominently with instructions in ‘Urdu’ language but they did not comply with the directions.

She said caffeine level in the energy drinks was also found higher than the standards set by the PFA regulations. The caffeine level should be less than 200ppm, but it was found to be over 300ppm in these drinks, which was injurious to health, she added.

Moreover, regular use of energy drinks could cause blood pressure, hypertension, obesity and many other diseases, she said.

She appealed to the citizens to keep their children away from energy drinks and give them fresh juices, fruits, milk and other healthy food products.

She added that the manufacturers were bound to mention on the energy drinks that these were not suitable for pregnant women and children.

Separately, a massive crackdown was also launched on food business operators violating rules under the supervision of food safety officers in Punjab.

The teams have raided hundreds of food businesses and sealed 8 food points, besides imposing Rs437,000 fine on more than 60 operators.

The PFA has sealed three food businesses in Rawalpindi division, one in D G Khan and two each in Gujranwala and Faisalabad divisions. It also imposed Rs16,500 fine on three eateries in Multan, Rs24,500 fine on six shops in Sargodha, Rs59,000 fine on 17 food points in Rawalpindi, Rs10,500 fine on five food outlets in Faisalabad, Rs109,000 fine on 13 outlets in Gujranwala, Rs130,000 fine in Sahiwal and Rs87,500 fine in DG Khan.

The PFA teams discarded huge quantity of tea whitener, animal fat, 115 litres of adulterated milk, chicken, non-food grade colours and bakery items during the operations.

The PFA also served notices on dozens of food points over minor violations.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2018