Sindh Minister for Food and Irrigation Jam Khan Shoro said today that the Sindh Food Authority (SFA) has strengthened its commitment to ensuring public health and safety through extensive inspections and strict enforcement against food and water safety violations across Sindh Province in October.
According to Sindh Information Department information, he emphasized that these actions reflect the authority’s dedication to maintaining health standards and providing safe and hygienic food and water to the people of Sindh. In a statement, the Sindh Minister for Food highlighted that during October, the Sindh Food Authority conducted a total of 16,061 inspections throughout all divisions of Sindh, with 6244 in Karachi division, 4597 in Hyderabad division, 1175 in Sukkur division, 925 in Shaheed Benazirabad, 1922 in Larkana division, 1198 in Mirpurkhas division. He noted that as a result of these inspections, 3,791 improvement notices were issued to establishments needing corrective actions, and fines were imposed on 941 units found violating food safety standards.
To ensure quality, SFA collected 84 food samples for testing, identifying potential health hazards before they could affect the public. He stated that anti-adulteration efforts were prioritized, activities of 171 units were suspended and 8,240 challans issued to various units across the province. Minister Jam Khan Shoro remarked that Karachi and Hyderabad witnessed the highest level of enforcement activities, emphasizing the authority’s commitment to prioritizing safety in areas with larger populations and higher consumption rates.
Minister Jam Khan Shoro reiterated that in its intensified campaign against milk adulteration, the Sindh Food Authority has taken decisive action to address this critical issue affecting the health of Sindh’s residents. He mentioned that a total of 118 milk samples were collected from various sources, with 63 containing adulterants that compromised their safety and quality. Minister Jam Khan Shoro indicated that improvement notices and significant fines were issued to establishments involved in milk adulteration, mandating immediate compliance with food safety standards. He affirmed that the SFA’s efforts against milk adulteration will persist with strict measures to guarantee only safe milk is provided to the public.
Minister Food also pointed out that alongside its focus on food safety, the Sindh Food Authority is committed to ensuring the quality of water provided to the public. He disclosed that SFA teams inspected 463 Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants across Sindh during October to address water quality concerns and ensure accountability.
The results revealed that 90 plants were producing water unsuitable for human consumption, leading to the suspension of licenses for 233 RO plants due to unsatisfactory results and other reasons. Minister Jam Khan Shoro reiterated the authority’s commitment to ensuring that clean, safe drinking water is supplied to communities across Sindh and warned that inspections will continue, with immediate action against any RO plant failing to meet standards.
Shoro directed the Director General Sindh Food Authority Muzamil Hussain Halepoto to maintain a robust and ongoing inspection regime, ensuring all food and water safety violations are promptly addressed and that all corrective actions are implemented without delay.
Shoro reaffirmed the Sindh Food Authority’s ongoing commitment to protecting public health through a robust regulatory framework and proactive enforcement. He underscored the authority’s dedication to providing safe and hygienic food and water to the people of Sindh, urging all food business operators and RO plant owners to strictly adhere to SFA guidelines. Minister Food stressed that compliance is essential not only to avoid penalties but also to ensure the welfare of the community. He further stated by emphasizing that the Sindh Food Authority will persist in its mission to uphold the highest food and water safety standards. He affirmed that SFA is determined to foster a safer and healthier Sindh by carrying out regular inspections, raising public awareness about food safety practices, and implementing stringent penalties against violators. The authority encourages consumers to report violations, supporting SFA’s efforts to prioritize food and water safety across the province