SITUATION OF FOOD

CONTAMINATION IN
PAKISTAN

Poor food hygiene and improper storage of food can damage businesses all across
the world. Contamination of food has the same effects on the businesses and the
consumers.

POOR FOOD HYGIENE IN PAKISTAN.

In Pakistan, substandard raw materials, such as contaminated water and inferior
food colours, flavours, fats, and oil are being used. Chefs are not wearing gloves or
hairnets, and the food is prepared in dirty kitchens which are infested with roaches,
ants, and cats are wandering around the kitchen. The food is prepared with utensils
that are unwashed and rusted.

EFFECTS OF POOR FOOD HYGIENE.

Selling contaminated food to people can lead to many consequences. The people
buying this food might get food poisoning which can be treated at home or might
require medical attention. Two types of food poisoning are: gastroenteritis, caused
by unwashed hands; and campylobacter poisoning, caused by cross-contamination
of raw or uncooked poultry. Food contamination is harmful to the businesses as well
as the people. The restaurant will suffer a lot of reputational damage and the
employees that were responsible for this will lose their jobs.
PROBLEMS CAUSED BY IMPROPER FOOD
STORAGE.
Leaving food in overcrowded fridges, storing food uncovered, storing food in
unhygienic conditions, and keeping food in improper food storage can lead to
problems like bacteria and mould growth, food spoilage through natural decay and
even food waste. This will end in a loss of billions of dollars worldwide. When the
food decays or is spoiled, it can lead to losses suffered by the businesses because
the food will have to be thrown away.

WAYS TO STORE FOOD PROPERLY.

There are many ways to store food properly, one of the major ways is to stop
overcrowding your refrigerators. Overcrowding your refrigerator restricts the airflow,
reducing the efficiency of your fridge. Overcrowded refrigerators make it hard to see
what ingredients and foods you have and there is a high chance that you might
forget about the food and it will be spoiled. Air-tight containers are useful as they
keep your food fresh and prevent bacterial growth.

CONTAMINATION OF FOOD BY FOOD HANDLERS.

When infected food handlers sneeze, cough or handle food without thoroughly
washing their hands, pathogens can be introduced into the food which causes the
food to be contaminated. Foods that can be easily contaminated are: raw meat,
eggs, unpasteurised milk, raw shellfish, fruits and vegetables. The pathogens that
are most frequently linked to food handlers' transmission are: norovirus, salmonella,
and Hepatitis A virus (HAV).

MEASURES BEING TAKEN.

Food inspectors are working under a legislation that at most narrows the options to
filing a complaint and fines ranging from Rs. 500 to Rs. 3000 for fatal offences and if
the reviews given by the citizens are mostly negative, the businesses are being shut
down and boycotted.