Court observed that flour packed in old cement bags contributed to serious illnesses
Bags of flour are unloaded at Jodia Bazaar in Karachi. PHOTO: IPP
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court on Saturday banned the use of substandard bags to package food items, warning that the practice poses serious health risks.
In a written judgment delivered by Justice Azam Khan, the court observed that flour packed in old cement bags contributed to serious diseases, including cancer.
The court ordered the federal Ministry of National Food Security and Research and the four provinces to coordinate enforcement of the ban. Chief secretaries and provincial food authorities have been directed to ensure strict implementation of the order in their respective jurisdictions.
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The IHC further directed the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and the Ministry of Food to submit a comprehensive compliance report within three months.
The court ordered authorities to launch, within 30 days, a nationwide crackdown on the manufacturing, storage and sale of substandard bags used for food packaging.
He also ordered searches of factories, warehouses and stores involved in the production or distribution of these bags, with instructions to confiscate the material. The court said violators should not only be fined but also face criminal prosecution and arrest.
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“The law is not intended merely to be displayed on the books but to protect the lives and property of citizens,” the court emphasized in its decision.
Authorities have been tasked with ensuring immediate and effective enforcement to protect public health.
