The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority has launched a large-scale crackdown on substandard and harmful pops, chips, nimco, and seasoning powders. A special 15-day testing campaign was conducted, during which 462 samples of various food products were collected and analyzed for quality standards.
Following laboratory results, the Food Safety teams took immediate action, sealing 13 production units in Peshawar Division, 3 in Mardan, 7 in Malakand, and one each in Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu. Heavy fines were imposed on violators, and further legal proceedings were initiated under the Food Safety Act.
While releasing details, spokesperson of the Food Authority said that the testing campaign involved a detailed analysis of ingredients in pops, chips, nimco, and spices. The results indicated excessive levels of aflatoxins, free fatty acids, peroxide value, and moisture in several samples, making them substandard and hazardous for human consumption. The spokesperson extended that 27 seasoning powder and spice samples were found to contain aflatoxins exceeding national and international safety standards. Aflatoxins, caused by fungal contamination, are known to be carcinogenic.
The spokesperson added that the test results revealed out of 175 pops samples, 82 were deemed substandard, while 8 out of 24 nimco samples failed to meet food safety standards. Similarly, 29 out of 160 seasoning powder samples and 29 out of 103 curry powder samples were found to be of poor quality. Overall, 46.2% of pops, 33.3% of nimco, 18.1% of seasoning powders, and 28.1% of curry powders failed quality assurance tests.
“The Food Authority food safety teams took immediate action based on these findings, launching a crackdown on manufacturers of substandard and hazardous food items. Several production units were sealed, heavy fines were imposed, and further legal action was initiated under the Food Safety Act”, said the spokesperson.
Wasif Saeed, Director General of the Food Authority described the campaign as the first of its kind in the history of KP, uncovering a significant number of substandard food products. Wasif assured that such testing campaigns would continue to ensure the supply of safe and quality food to the public. He also issued a directive that all unregistered food businesses must register with the Food Authority within a month, warning of legal action against non-compliant businesses.
KP Minister for Food, Zahir Shah Toru, emphasized that protecting public health is one of the top priorities of provincial government, leaving no room for compromise. Toru clarified that the campaign was not intended to harm businesses but to improve food quality and ensure consumer safety. He urged all food manufacturers and vendors to adhere strictly to food safety standards, warning of severe action against violators.
The Food Authority officials also appealed to the public to report any instances of substandard food being sold so that immediate action could be taken. Officials reaffirmed that the crackdown on adulterated and substandard food products would continue without discrimination, with no leniency for those endangering public health.
