Adulteration mafia deserves no leniency; crackdown on substandard food to be expedited: KP Food Minister Zahir Shah Toru

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority (KPFS&HFA) continued its drive against adulterated, substandard and hazardous food items, conducting major operations in Peshawar, Mardan and Kohat. According to the Authority’s spokesperson, thousands of litres of substandard beverages and hazardous confectionery were seized during the operations, while legal proceedings under the KP Food Safety Act have been initiated against the violators.
In Peshawar, the Food Safety team carried out a surprise inspection at a candy production unit in Afghan Colony. The inspection revealed the use of textile chemicals and antiseptics in the preparation of sweets. The unit was immediately sealed and 200 kilogrammes of hazardous confectionery were confiscated.

Similarly, in Mardan, a raid on a warehouse located on Charsadda Road led to the recovery of 1,164 litres of substandard beverages, which were confiscated on the spot. Moreover, in Kohat’s Gambat Bazaar, the Food Safety team seized 1,500 litres of substandard beverages from a wholesaler’s warehouse. All confiscated items were taken into official custody and heavy fines were imposed on the offenders, in addition to further legal action under the KP Food Safety Act.

KP Minister for Food Zahir Shah Toru, expressed satisfaction over the operations, stating that “The adulteration mafia and those involved in the trade of substandard food products deserve no leniency.” He directed that the crackdown be further intensified to ensure the provision of safe, quality food to the people of the province.