HARIPUR: Microbiological safety is imperative for achieving the objective of food security in the country, which is one of the key challenges facing the developing countries.

These views were expressed by Women University Swabi vice-chancellor Prof Dr Shahana Urooj Kazmi while addressing a seminar titled “food safety concerns and role of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority”. The Department of Food Sciences and Technology, University of Haripur, organised the event here on Saturday.

Prof Shahana Kazmi said that only those products which were properly processed and marketed and having no microbiological, chemical or physical hazards could be declared as safe food for human consumption.

She said that proper processing could help ensure food safety and security to the maximum. She welcomed the initiative of establishing KP’s first milk testing laboratory at the University of Haripur.

On this occasion,Prof Abdul Sattar Shah, a food safety expert, discussed the consumers’ concerns about food safety in the province, especiallyadulteration of milk, spices and beverages, unhygienic processing of vegetables and meat besides marketing of fake brands.

He said that it was the government’s responsibility to ensure food safety. Prof Dr Ayub Khan, acting VC of the University of Haripur, also spoke on the occasion.

TRANSFER OPPOSED: The principals of the government high and higher secondary schools for boys here on Saturday expressed their concern over the transfer of district education officer Hafiz Nawaz Abbasi within two months of his posting and demanded of the chief minister to withdraw the order.

In this regard, the meeting of the principals from across the district was held here at the Government Higher Secondary School for Boys No 2.

They praised Mr Abbasi for reforms he introduced for resolution of the teachers’ problems and increasing enrolment.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2022