The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has issued a final deadline to all the salt processing companies to sell only fortified iodized salt after February 15, 2018. According to the departmental sources, Director General PFA Noor-ul-Amin Mengal held a meeting some time back with the salt processors. At the meeting, he asked the food safety teams to carry out visits of all the salt processing companies and prepare a comprehensive list of reforms which would be handed over to these companies for its implementation in letter and spirit.
"This survey has been completed by the food safety officers and a comprehensive reforms list has been prepared. The processors have been asked to sell only iodized salt after adding necessary ingredients. These companies should start selling fortified salt by February 15, 2018," the dead line issued to the salt processors said. The DG PFA warned that strict legal action would be taken against those companies who would not meet the requirements after this date.
Mengal said that fortification of salt was also necessary besides fortification of edible oil and flour. He was of the view that malnutrition can only be tackled through fortification. Some 60 percent of Punjab's population was facing malnutrition, so the government has declared to add iodine and other necessary ingredients to salt, he added. He said new rules and reforms have been issued after surveying all the salt processing units and now medical screening tests are being carried out of all the employees associated with the salt processing sector. He said the PFA is determined to providing quality and hygienic food to the public and ample time has been given to the industry for reforming itself. He warned that strict action would be taken after the lapse of this deadline against violators.
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