Pakistan's Punjab probes into sweetmeat case; death toll reaches 33

LAHORE: Pakistan's Punjab province has launched a crackdown on the sweet shops across the province and arrested over 24 shop owners in wake of the tragic poisonous sweetmeat incident, as the death toll today rose to 33 after eight more people died.

The incident took place in Layyah district, some 325 kilometres from where a person brought the sweetmeat last week from a shop to celebrate the birthday of his child. It was served to his family members whose condition deteriorated soon after eating the sweetmeat. They were rushed to the nearby hospital.

So far 33 people, including five children have died and the condition of six remain critical.

More than 50 people had consumed the same sweet. They are under treatment in Nishter Hospital Multan and district headquarters hospital Layyah.

The health authorities suspect that cheap imported liquid glucose from China is used in manufacturing of the sweetmeat at the shop instead of sugar which costs more.

An FIR has been registered under the Pre Food Act against the shop owner.

In the wake of this incident, the Punjab government has launched a crackdown on the sweet shops across the province.

The inspection teams have sealed dozens of sweet shops in the province and arrested some two dozen shopkeepers.