Scientific panel of the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has recommended banning casting of children in advertisement of chewing gum/bubble gum.
According to information released by the PFA here on Friday, this recommendation is part of the Authority's efforts to tighten grip around the food business operators and those organizations which are involved in wrong marketing practices. PFA sources said that the scientific panel made this recommendation after complete consultation. In this context, the regulatory authority has called on representatives of all companies related to this business to the PFA office next week.
The PFA will inform them about the authority's decision. Scientific panel, in the recommendations, said that the use of chewing-gum/ bubble-gum is not fit for children's health. Chewing-gum or bubble gums which prepared with flavors and artificial ingredients effect on the growth of children and reduce hunger.
Meanwhile the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Friday closed down eight more food points over violation of the provincial food regulations. On the directions of the PFA Director General Noorul Amin Mengal, food safety teams conducted raids on hundreds of food points in open markets of the provincial metropolis. The teams were accompanied by the officials of the PFA including food safety officers and assistant food safety officers.
According to details, the PFA sealed two water filtration plants (including Arctic water and Seasly water plant) for using PFA logo, over failed their water samples in laboratory test, misbranding and improper cleanliness arrangements. Food safety team also caught Ilyas Fat Rendering Unit for extracting oil from animal wastes and fats in Ram Bagh area.
Besides, the PFA sealed a Cosmo Politan Club's canteen for using rotten fruits and vegetables, an abundance of insects, for using rusted freezers and substandard spices in the preparation of food, poor hygiene conditions and presence of expired products. Apart from that, workers of the factory did not have medical certificates.
In other activities, two confectionery units were shut down by PFA on the basis of poor cleanliness arrangements, the presence of pests and for using cosmetic colors which is injurious to consumer health. The bakeries were closed on GT Road mentioned as Ghulam Muhammad Bakery and Shoaib Bakers. Similarly, the PFA sealed a famous ice cream shop (Chaman Ice Cream) over proved adulteration of non-food grade color and substandard ingredients and presence of expired products. Further, PFA's watchdogs sealed nimko's production unit of the Sheikh Food Products owing to use substandard oil, the presence of expired items, usage of loose colors and on the account of fake labeling.
The PFA also imposed fine and issued 83 warning notices for improvement on eateries, sweet shops, production units, meat shops and collected water samples for laboratory test.