The sugar produced by as many as 18 mills in Punjab and Sindh is not fit for human consumption due to three-time high ratio of sulphur dioxide which may cause serious health problems to the users, it is learnt.
Sources said that the alarmingly high ratio of suplhur dioxide and solution colour, dangerous for human health, was found in the sugar produced by 18 units in Punjab and Sindh, according to tests conducted by Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) on March 6.
Health experts believe that use of sugar with high ratio of sulphur dioxide may result in development of serious health problems, particularly permanent damage to pulmonary system. It remains to be established that since how long past the sugar mills have been marketing sugar unfit for human consumption and what punishment for such an act has been awarded.
The results showed that the ratio of International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis (ICUMSA) units was much higher in the sugar marketed by these mills than the recommended maximum level besides suplhur dioxide.
The ICUMSA maximum recommended level is 60 units for refined sugar and 80 units for white sugar but tests showed ICUMSA ratio was exceeding 110 to 430 units in the sugar produced by these mills, showing serious refining flaws.