Consumers brave high cost of edibles

LAHORE: Consumers are not only braving the high cost of edibles but are also forced to bear the hidden costs charged from them through adulteration, substandard weights and measures as state regulators ignore these malpractices, according to experts on Friday.
The impact of high commodity rates have been compounded by these practices that reduce the quantity of the product purchased through the use of substandard weights, flushing water in the meat, adulteration of milk and chilies, they said.

“The weights used by the retailers and roadside vendors, particularly for vegetables, fruits and meat are not of uniform standard,” said Nishat Yusuf, a professor in a government girls college.

“I have verified this by buying fruit or grocery from one shop or vendor and then checking the quantity at various shops,” she said, adding, “In seven out of 10 cases, the weight of the commodity purchased was less than what I paid.”

“On my complaint, the district regulators did raid a few outlets but it was only for public consumption as the practice continues unabated.”

Raheela Ahmad, a school teacher, said that the shops or vendors involved in this malpractice keep two sets of weights; one according to the standard and another set that is 10 percent to 15 percent lighter.

She said in case they see that a raid is being conducted they conceal the substandard weights and start using those attested by the municipal authorities. “The regulators should search the shop or the vendor and if substandard lighter weights are found they should be punished irrespective of the fact whether they were using those weights or not,” she said.

“The beef and mutton being openly sold in the market contains high quantity of water that increases the weight of these products,” said Sadiqa Noor, a housewife.

She said water is in fact flushed in the lungs of the animals immediately after slaughter that penetrates in its entire body and is retained for a considerable time.

This not only compromises the quality of the meat but the buyers end up getting 15 percent to 25 percent less quantity, as well, she said.

A butcher said that almost 200 camels are slaughtered daily in Lahore but there is no sale point of camel meat. It is not a mystery where the entire meat goes. The cow or buffalo meat retailers keep this meat in the rear of the shop where the machine that minces the meat is also kept. When any customer wants minced meat the butcher mixes the camel meat with the buffalo meat, he added.

Shazia Adnan, a housewife said that vegetable sellers also regularly sprinkle water on their items not only on the leafy vegetables but on all others.

“The increase in weight might be minor but it provides advantage to the seller,” she said. The flour mills grind wet wheat that adds moisture in wheat flour (atta), said Imran Ali, a clerk in a private enterprise.

The addition of moister in flour is to the advantage of the flour millers, he added.

“The addition of water in milk benefits the milk seller,” he said, adding that mixing powdered bricks in chili powder impacts the health of the consumer and enriches the pocket of the adulterator.

Civil society activists regretted that the state tolerance of these malpractices has encouraged unscrupulous elements to expand their activities.

These malpractices could be stopped through better administration and prudent regulations, they said, adding that the regulators should be given a deadline to eliminate these malpractices and after that they should be made accountable.

Posted in: Business news