The Punjab Food Authority (PFA), which enforces food hygiene and quality standards as described in the Punjab Food Authority Act 2011 and the Pure Food Rules 2011, decided on Monday to impose a ban on the sale of loose milk across the province.

Director General Punjab Food Authority Mudassar Riyaz told the reporters that in the first phase, the sale of loose milk would be banned in Lahore, adding that a mechanism had been devised for the sale and transportation of milk and will be implemented gradually in the province in phases.

He said that the decision was taken to make the supply of unpacked milk traceable, and the ban will be imposed in several phases starting from some major areas in Lahore.

“The dairy farms will be registered and the quality of milk will be tested on a regular basis,” he added.

Riyaz said that loose milk sold to 15,000 houses were tested and during the testing phase it had been found that the milk was adulterated and unhealthy. “Packed milk will now be sold at street shops in Lahore,” he added.

He said that the authority was negotiating with the dairy farmer’s association and further decisions will be taken by taking all stakeholders into confidence.