Lahore: CDGL sets up 100 ‘standard’ milk shops

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Food inspectors deployed at city’s entry and exit points to ensure no substandard milk is supplied in provincial capital

By Afnan Khan

LAHORE: The City District Government Lahore (CDGL) has set up 100 standard milk shops in 9 towns of the city to ensure the provision of pure milk for the citizens.

The shops will start working on experimental basis by today (Sunday) and the government will announce the locations of the shops within a few days.

The decision was taken to address the long-standing issue regarding the supply of contaminated milk by the owners of farms and milkmen throughout the city. The Lahore High Court (LHC) recently took action against the provision of substandard milk in tetra packs and ‘open’ milk being sold at the shops across the city.

The CDGL had developed a multi-dimensional strategy to crack down on the people involved in supplying contaminated milk and to ensure the provision of healthy milk to the citizens. District Coordination Officer (DCO) Sajjad Bhutta also set up a complaint cell to take immediate action against any shopkeeper or milkman dealing in contaminated milk. The cell’s numbers are 042-9211003-4. It had been reported that milkmen mix several unhygienic substances including fertilizers, drain water and cooking oil in the milk. They also extract fats from the milk or mix tap water prior to the sale.

Inspectors: The government has decided to establish checkpoints at all main entrances of the city. It will deploy especially trained food inspectors to ensure that no substandard milk is brought into the city. The government has also established modern laboratories to test different kinds of food articles, especially milk, as several cases of contaminated milk were proven in the courtrooms and the Food Department’s laboratories lacked proper equipment.

The DCO said it was happening for the first time that the government had decided to take proper action to curb the sale of contaminated milk.

He said the government would not only take proper action against any people found involved in the business but would also educate citizens about the benefits of pure milk and try to teach them how to test milk prior to purchasing it. He said the CDGL would also keep inspecting the standard shops frequently to ensure high-quality milk for citizens. He urged citizens to file complaints at the DCO’s office if anyone was found involved in supplying substandard milk.

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