LAHORE: A unit manufacturing fake carbonated beverages of known brands was busted by the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) in Jameel Town.
According to PFA Director General Raja Jahangir Anwar, the raiding team disposed of 18,800 litre fake drinks, along with 1,250kg sugar and 130kg prohibited ingredients, besides impounding 17 cylinders, filling machines and other paraphernalia.
The PFA also lodged an FIR against the unit owners and staff for adulteration and forgery and handed a suspect over to police after nabbing him red-handed during the raid.
The DG said fake fizzy drinks were being prepared using hazardous chemicals, loose non-food grade colours, artificial sweeteners, unclean tap water, and other harmful ingredients, adding that the fake material was stored in prohibited drums.
Non-food-grade plastic bottles and fake labels were also being used for packing purpose, he added.
Mr Anwer said the fake beverages were to be supplied to the different local shops and hotels in Lahore, jeopardising the health of consumers, especially senior citizens and children.
He said the adulteration mafia would be dealt with an iron hand, adding that the PFA is utilising all available resources to eliminate the menace of fake beverages from Punjab.