Top judge takes aim at chemical milk, unhealthy chicken

LAHORE - Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar has remarked that the court would not allow the sale of any chemical as milk.

Hearing the suo moto case on Thursday, regarding harmful effects of packaged milk, the chief justice observed that it should be written boldly on milk packs that "this is not milk".

The top judge visibly looked annoyed over the poor quality of packaged milk and sent notices to companies selling powdered milk, seeking their response. The court also sought details of companies selling chemical as milk or powdered milk.

Describing that he himself was a victim of unsafe milk, CJP observed that special directives would be issued to Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority to run an awareness campaign regarding milk.

The chief justice stated that children were hooked on powdered milk, which was not actually milk.

The court also observed that complaints of hormonal changes among children due to chicken were common.

"Our bodies are being affected by the use of injections and steroids consumed by chickens," CJP remarked.

The court also ordered to submit the record of notices sent to companies selling such injections.

The chief justice made it clear that the purpose of the court was not to affect someone’s business, stating that the court will not allow legitimate and safe milk sellers to be maligned.

Chief Justice Nisar also observed that pakoras and halwa puri are made from used cooking oil.

"Used ghee is like diesel, which is extremely dangerous for one’s health" observed the chief justice and continued that the court will not let food giants sell used cooking oil.

On the occasion, the Director General of Punjab Food Authority, Noorul Amin Mengal said an awareness campaign is being carried out by the authority.

"The sale of powdered milk has been banned across the province, and special 'milk safety' teams are being formed that will check the quality of milk samples on a daily basis" replied the official as he appeared before the bench at the Supreme Court's Lahore registry.

 

Moreover, during the hearing of the suo motu case regarding the provision of safe drinking water, the Punjab chief secretary admitted before the court that polluted material from hospitals and residential localities was being mixed in streams.