BATTAGRAM: Substandard snacks are being sold in markets across the Battagram district as the authorities seem least bothered to take any action in this regard.

Snacks are favourite choice of children and the markets are flooded with these substandard commodities.

Such snacks are prepared in unhygienic conditions and being sold at a low price by the vendors, but the food department has turned a blind eye to the situation.

These snacks are supplied from the markets in Battagram, Thakot, Kuzabanda and Allai to small villages without any check.

It merits a mention here that the substandard snacks are also selling in many schools, while in villages minors consume these abundantly, which is spreading numerous stomach-related diseases.

The poverty stricken people of the district are not aware about the hazardous effects these snacks have on their children’s health.

It is the responsibility of the food department to keep a vigilant eye on the food items of inferior quality being sold in the markets.

A vendor selling the locally-prepared snacks said these were similar to branded snacks both in quality and taste, and that his children also enjoyed eating them.

The parents demanded of the government to completely ban production, supply and sale of these substandard snacks.

Noor Wahid, a father of three children, told Dawn that they used different tactics to make their children not to buy and consume these snacks, but to no avail. He added that different spices were used on the snacks to make them delicious and attractive to children.

Mohammad Saleem, a resident of Battagram, said his children spent their pocket money on buying these substandard snacks easily available in shops.

He added if the government banned these snacks children would definitely buy better quality products. He said children preferred these substandard snacks to meal, which affected their growth.

When contacted, medical officer Shahzad Ahmed said consumption of substandard snacks was very harmful for children’s health as locally manufactured snacks had no expiry date and harmful ingredients were used in their production.

He added that consumption of substandard snacks directly affected the digestive system causing malnutrition and anemia.

He maintained that artificial colours and flavours were non-food substances which affected children’s growth.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2019