PSQCA raids bachat bazaar

Pakistan's first mobile testing laboratory equipped with modern testing facilities once again raided a 'Sunday Bachat Bazaar', located in Block 8, DHA, Khyaban-e-Ittehad. Media men and members of NGOs accompanied the team. The aim of the action was to ensure transparent testing procedure, said a statement issued by Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) here Sunday.
On arrival at the bazaar, PSQCA team collected samples from different stalls especially of ghee, oil, bottled water, juices, spices, and performed tests in their mobile testing laboratory in a transparent manner.
After the tests, the report of collected samples was announced in front of the media and public. Director Quality Control Centre, PSQCA Masood Ahmad Khan and Assistant Director (CA), Standards Development Centre, PSQCA, Jawaid Hussain Siddiqui informed the media about the testing report.
According to the report, "Mofi" brand of M/s Al-Madina Oil Mills Ltd; Karachi failed the test due to absence of vitamin contents and increased peroxide value in its ingredients.
Similarly, products of M/s Shan Masalah ie pickle, chilli and curry powder, turmeric and salt, products of M/s. Naurus; vinegar, pickle, apple and mango juices and jam&jelly, M/s. Engro Foods; Olper Juice and M/s. Benlays; Black Tea were immediately confiscated in total quantity from the stalls of the bazaar.
Security guards of DHA resisted several times and tried to stop the raiding team of PSQCA and media personnel.
However, Media Adviser PSQCA, Rehmatullah Memon intervened and informed them that PSQCA is fully authorised as per PSQCA Act VI of 1996, to conduct raid at any place/market/bazaar without prior notice. On the occasion, people hailed the working of PSQCA to control the manufacturing of substandard products and check their quality in open market, and called for continuation of this practice in the larger public interest.
PSQCA team informed the people and the media that now PSQCA is going to expand its activities to control manufacturing of sub-standard products. It also announced that this mobile testing laboratory would be rotated in all locations of the city and other parts of country as well.
This will be aimed to achieve core objectives of ensuring human health and safety, and providing a thrust to consumer protection as well as consumer satisfaction. PSQCA team assured the people that this practice will continue, not only for spot checking of food items, but to educate and make people aware about quality standards. The mobile testing laboratory was launched to check, on the spot, the quality of substandard products at markets, Sunday bazaars, and other locations. PSQCA takes action, according to the law, against products that do not meet quality standards.