Balochistan Food Authority Destroys Vegetables Grown on 48 Acres Irrigated with Sewage Water

Quetta: The Balochistan Food Authority (BFA) has intensified its province-wide crackdown on unsafe food, destroying vegetable crops spread across nearly 48 acres that were being irrigated with sewage water in Quetta.

According to a BFA spokesperson, the operation was carried out at multiple locations along Arbab Karam Khan Road, where crops including lettuce, spinach, mint, and other leafy vegetables were found to be irrigated with contaminated sewage water. Food safety teams destroyed the crops on-site and blocked all channels supplying sewage water to the fields to prevent contaminated vegetables from reaching local markets.

The BFA said it would not allow the sale of hazardous vegetables and vowed to further strengthen its phased enforcement campaign against unsafe food practices.

In a separate operation in Bostan, food safety officials inspected 25 yogurt production units following public complaints. Laboratory tests of milk, yogurt, and lassi samples met quality standards, but four units were fined and three others were issued improvement notices over poor hygiene and documentation violations.

Meanwhile, inspections on Airport Road, Alamdar Road, and Mission Road in Quetta resulted in fines for catering units, meat shops, bakeries, and general stores over violations including poor sanitation, operating without food business licenses, spoiled meat, expired products, improper storage practices, and the use of uncovered cooking oil.

The BFA’s milk safety team also inspected milk sellers at Almas Chowk and Airport Road, where tests confirmed the adulteration of milk with water and skimmed milk powder. Three vendors were fined, while four milk shops received improvement notices.

Food safety inspections continued in other districts as well. In Panjgur, authorities seized and destroyed large quantities of expired and prohibited products from general stores. In Khuzdar, several businesses, including general stores, naan shops, and fast-food outlets, were fined for poor hygiene, the use of unhealthy cooking oil, expired products, and banned food items.

In Dera Murad Jamali, action was taken against grocery stores for selling expired products and non-food-grade coloring agents. In Uthal, fines were imposed on general stores, restaurants, and an RO water plant for hygiene violations, expired goods, and prohibited items, while one RO plant was sealed due to unsanitary conditions.