LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has begun crackdown against supply of energy drinks to educational institutes across the province, after its ban on sale of all types of carbonated and energy drinks went into effect from August 14.

The PFA has issued instructions to all companies manufacturing cold and energy drinks that they cannot supply bottles to any educational institutions and within 100 meters of their premises.

The ban became applicable from August 14 and breachers of the ban will face action, the authority has warned.

Director General PFA Noorul Amin Mengal said around 120 countries, keeping in view the adverse effects of cold drinks, have restricted sales of such drinks.

The ban has been in effect in many countries since 2006, he added.

PFA?s Scientific Panel has prepared and passed the Punjab Educational Societies Food Standard Regulation 2017 and graded the food supplied to schools as red, yellow and green levels.

After thorough research and consultation with experts around the world, the authority has fully supported the comprehensive operation across the province by making special operation teams with the approval of the board in this regard.

Mengal said 701 special operation teams have been assigned in connection with the board's permission and support to implement the ban.

With additional input from APP