Health Crisis In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 93% Of Milk Deemed Unsafe, Mayor Controversially Reopens Sealed Businesses

(MENAFN- Tribal News Network) In a startling revelation, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Authority declared that 93% of the milk in the province is unfit for consumption, leading to the closure of businesses involved in its sale. However, a controversy erupted when Shahid Ali Khan, Mayor of Mingora City in the Malakand Division, reopened these businesses in collaboration with the Milk and Yogurt Vendors Association, escalating the situation.

Asad Qasim, Deputy Director of the Malakand Division of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Authority, told TNN that the Halal Food Authority began operations in the Malakand Division on March 1, 2018, to improve food quality and prevent food-borne diseases. The Authority is active in six districts-Swat, Buner, Malakand, Chitral, Lower Dir, and Upper Dir-conducting daily and weekly food quality control and monitoring in the field to ensure better food for the public.

Qasim explained that a province-wide crackdown on milk adulteration was initiated, and samples from major and mid-sized businesses in the Malakand Division were tested using a state-of-the-art Milko Scan laboratory. The results revealed various harmful chemicals, including fertilizers, formalin, soda, glucose, dry powder, and salt, along with water, had been added to the milk, which also lacked necessary fats, proteins, and other nutrients. Consequently, 97% of the milk in the Malakand Division was deemed unsafe.

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The Halal Food Authority has the legal parameters to seal shops, revoke licenses, or impose fines ranging from 25,000 to 100,000 rupees under the Food Safety Act 2014. Based on these guidelines, 18 shops in the Malakand Division selling toxic milk were sealed.

Qasim detailed that the adulterators were categorized based on the severity of their actions: 12 individuals adding fertilizers and formalin to milk were placed in the black category; 30 individuals adding 30-40% water were in the red category; and 28 individuals adding 15-25% water were in the yellow category. The green category was for those who met safety standards.

He also noted that Swat district consumes over 200,000 liters of milk daily, with half sourced locally and the other half transported from Punjab via eight daily tankers. The field teams face significant challenges despite the Food Authority's efforts, including resistance from trade federations and political influence.

In a recent operation, the Halal Food Authority sealed multiple milk vendors' shops. However, the next day, Mayor Shahid Ali Khan, after meeting with the association officials, personally tore down the Authority's seals and reopened the shops, asserting that no action could be taken without his consent. He demanded that milk be checked and adulterated milk be disposed of before reaching the markets.

This controversial action by the mayor sparked reactions on social media. Shiraz Khan commented on his wall, "Mayor Sahib, we support your good deeds, but you are on the wrong track here. This is a matter of human lives. Your action shows your failure to fulfill your responsibilities, allowing milk vendors to continue selling adulterated and chemical-laden milk. Please, think before you act."

Another user, Abid Ali Jan, questioned, "Mayor Sahib, toxic milk has been sold to people for so long, has the local government ever intervened? If they had, why would Swat's people be forced to drink poisoned milk? Milk is a vital food, but when adulterated, it becomes dangerous."

Dr. Shah Abbas highlighted that various chemicals added to milk, such as formalin, dry powder, and detergent, contribute to the rising cancer cases in Pakistan. Glucose adulteration poses significant risks to diabetic patients, who often report high sugar levels after consuming milk. He stressed that the government should enact stringent laws, imposing a ten-year prison sentence on adulterators to prevent further harm to public health.

The ongoing controversy underscores the urgent need for effective regulation and enforcement to protect public health from the dangers of food adulteration.

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