KARACHI: The Sindh Food Authority (SFA) on Tuesday conducted raids in various parts of the city against companies producing hazardous mineral water and closed four plants.
Director-General SFA Abrar Ahmed Sheikh said the raids were conducted on several mineral water companies in Ancholi, Gulberg and Federal B. areas of Karachi.
He said that uncleanliness and unhygienic conditions were witnessed in the mineral water plants. There were also fake labels and water was also being refilled without any license.
There were no arrangements made to test water and did not comply with the standards of water filtration. Therefore, four mineral water plants have been sealed.
He said that water samples have been taken and sent to the laboratory for testing, and further legal action will be taken against the companies after results are received. He said the authority will continue such activities to ensure the provision of clean drinking water and nutrition.
SFA bans carbonated drinks at schools and colleges
Earlier this month, the SFA imposed a complete ban on carbonated drinks and snacks/chips at canteens across schools and colleges within the province.
The authority issued a notification and banned the sale of energy drinks, crackers (papad) and coloured and flavoured snacks and chips.
The food authority also issued strict orders against the slaughtering of new born calves and gave a one year grace period. It also banned use of artificial colour in sweet items and Monosodium Glucamate (MSG).
The sale of unbranded oil and ghee was also banned along with spices. Calcium carbide used commonly in the ripening of fruits has been prohibited but a one-year grace period till September 2019 was given.
The authority also banned mislabeling which should be followed as per Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) standards particularly on tea whiteners.
The SFA was made functional in March this year after the Sindh Assembly had passed into law the Sindh Food Authority Act, 2017.
