Trouble for Sellers of Adulterated Milk and Yogurt: Balochistan Food Authority Launches Special Campaign Across Province, 2,000 Liters of Substandard Milk Destroyed
Quetta (Daily Qudrat) — On the special directives of Provincial Minister and Chairman of Balochistan Food Authority Haji Noor Muhammad Damar, the Balochistan Food Authority has launched a special campaign across the province against adulterated and substandard milk and yogurt.
Under the campaign, large-scale checking of milk sellers, shops, milk-carrying vehicles, milk suppliers, and other suspicious locations was carried out in Quetta and Loralai, along with testing of milk quality.
On the first day of the special campaign, Balochistan Food Authority inspection teams conducted operations in Quetta and Loralai, sealing 2 units and imposing fines on 18 centers and milk suppliers. During the operations, a total of 59 milk-carrying vehicles and motorcycles, along with 7 milk shops, were inspected.
According to the spokesman of the Balochistan Food Authority, during the operations, a total of 19,221 liters of milk and a large quantity of yogurt were tested for quality. Approximately 2,000 liters of milk and a large quantity of yogurt found to be adulterated, substandard, and harmful to human health were destroyed on the spot.
Milk samples were tested on the spot through the Balochistan Food Authority’s mobile laboratory, in which adulteration of milk with water and skimmed milk powder was identified. Upon violation being proven, action was taken on the spot and suspicious milk containers were also seized.
During operations against milk sellers and milk suppliers, inspection teams also took note of various violations, including poor hygiene arrangements, improper storage, contaminated utensils, deplorable sanitation conditions, and running businesses without licenses.
Director of Operations at Balochistan Food Authority Headquarters Fakhruddin Marri, regarding the special milk testing campaign, said that milk is a basic and important daily-use food, therefore no compromise will be made on the quality and purity of milk. He said that the process of on-the-spot milk testing through the mobile laboratory has been made more effective so that adulteration can be immediately identified and the supply of substandard milk to the public can be stopped.
Fakhruddin Marri said that adulteration of milk with water, skimmed milk powder, or other unauthorized ingredients is harmful to human health, therefore milk sellers and milk suppliers must strictly comply with prescribed food safety laws and hygiene principles. He made clear that in case of violation, fines, sealing, and other legal action will be taken.
The Director of Operations further said that Balochistan Food Authority teams will continue regular checking in various areas to monitor milk quality. He also appealed to the public to report the sale of adulterated, suspicious, or substandard milk to the Balochistan Food Authority so that timely action can be taken against health-threatening elements.
