Kahuta Authorities Seize Expired Beverages and Date-Forging Equipment in Warehouse Raid
In a significant crackdown on food safety violations, Assistant Commissioner Kahuta, Shireen Gul, has uncovered a substantial cache of expired beverages and recovered equipment used for forging expiry dates during a targeted raid on a cash-and-carry warehouse in Kahuta city. The operation was launched based on credible intelligence indicating that expired drinks were being illicitly sold to unsuspecting consumers, posing serious health risks.
Joint Team Conducts Thorough Inspection
A coordinated team comprising officials from the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) and the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) meticulously inspected the premises. During the operation, thousands of bottles and cans of juices and other beverages from various brands were discovered with expired dates, highlighting the scale of the violation.
Authorities also confiscated devices allegedly employed to alter and reprint expiry dates, with several seized consignments found bearing forged labels that extended the products' shelf life illegally. This equipment recovery underscores the sophisticated nature of the forgery operation aimed at deceiving consumers and bypassing regulatory checks.
Substantial Quantities of Hazardous Beverages Recovered
Assistant Commissioner Shireen Gul reported that approximately 5,000 liters of beverages, deemed unfit for human consumption, were recovered during the raid. Out of this total, around 1,000 liters were disposed of immediately on-site to prevent any potential health hazards, while the remaining stock was confiscated for further legal proceedings and evidence collection.
Gul emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that such practices endanger public health and violate food safety standards. She added that strict warnings have been issued to traders involved, and both PFA and PERA have been directed to intensify their monitoring efforts to prevent the sale and storage of expired and hazardous food items in the region.
Related Crackdown on Tax-Evaded Cigarettes
In a related development, the administration also confiscated large consignments of imported and tax-evaded cigarettes from various shops in Kahuta city during operations conducted last week. This action demonstrates a broader commitment to enforcing regulatory compliance and combating illicit trade practices that undermine public health and revenue collection.
The combined efforts highlight the authorities' proactive stance in safeguarding consumer interests and ensuring adherence to legal standards in the food and beverage sector.
