Muzaffarabad (Hayat News) Food Authority Muzaffarabad’s action in Garhi Dupatta Bazaar, bakery sale of expired food items, timely action on citizen complaint, juice pack found to be substandard.
According to the details, on the complaint of a citizen, Food Authority Muzaffarabad took immediate action and sent a mobile food testing laboratory, food technologist and assistant food safety officer to Garhi Dupatta Bazaar.
The citizen had reported that the juice pack purchased from a local shopkeeper caused children to feel unwell and vomit after drinking it. The Food Authority team reached the spot and inspected it, and the said juice pack, which was submitted to the police station as evidence, was checked for testing.
According to the report, the brix level of the juice was found to be lower than normal, smelly and substandard on quality parameters. However, other juice packs of the same brand and batch that were present with the shop and distributor were checked on the spot by a mobile food testing lab and found to be of correct Brix level, odor-free and as per the standards.
During the inspection, the Food Authority team also found expired products kept for sale in the bakery, on which the bakery was sealed on the spot. The team issued clear instructions to the shopkeepers to ensure implementation of the SOPs set by the Food Authority, otherwise strict action would be taken.
District Food Controller Abrar Ahmed Mir said in his statement regarding this action that the Food Authority is active day and night to provide quality, safe and healthy food to the public, no shopkeeper will be allowed to sell defective or expired food, strict action will be taken as per the law.
He added that citizens should register complaints regarding suspicious or substandard food on the Food Authority helpline 1280, immediate action would be taken.
