Five factories sealed in Punjab for using textile dyes in ketchup

LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority has sealed a number of factories across the province for gross violations of hygiene and safety in preparation of food ingredients, Geo News reported.

Out of 39 production units checked, five factories were sealed, seven were fined and 26 warned for manufacturing substandard ketchup, mayonnaise and other sauces, the Punjab Food Authority said.

According to Director General of Punjab Food Authority Capt (retd) Muhammad Usman, 4,600 litres of substandard ketchup, 70kg of starch, and 15kg of textile dyes were seized during the raids.

The factories that were sealed were using textile dyes to make the ketchup red, instead of tomatoes. The sauces had chemicals added, whereas rotten eggs were being used in mayonnaise, the official revealed.

Among the other grim details revealed was an abundance of cockroaches and flies in the area where the food items were being prepared, as well as presence of toilets in close vicinity.

The authority has collected ketchup samples from 14 production units for testing, Capt (retd) Muhammad Usman said.

Among the factories sealed, two were located in Lahore, one in Rawalpindi and one in Rahim Yar Khan.