Sindh government to establish food authority, says food minister

It will give time to hotels and restaurants to meet criteria and then inspect them

KARACHI: While the Punjab government's efforts to ensure food safety in the province have been lauded by and large, the Sindh government also intends to follow suit and set up such an authority to safeguard the consumers' safety and health.

At the 8th Food Safety and Quality Conference at Marriott hotel on Thursday, chief guest and food minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah announced that the provincial government is working towards the establishment of a Sindh food authority. He appreciated the efforts of the Punjab government done to satisfy consumers by establishing an effective food authority.



He said that, initially, the authority will take every hotel and restaurant into confidence and will give them a time frame. After that, he said, all the eateries will be inspected for the food safety criteria. "We are working together to give satisfaction to the customer for what he has paid for," said Kaukab Iqbal, the chairperson of the Consumers Association of Pakistan.

Farhan Hanif, the chairperson of the Sindh Consumer Association of Pakistan, said that the industry should only focus on what is good for the consumers. "The industry is supposed to pay back to the society and, for this, we are not supposed to rely on the government," he said.

While appreciating the efforts of the Punjab food authority, Moroccan honorary consul-general Ishtiaq Baiq said the efforts of the authority provided better results, helped in awareness regarding local restaurants and also created awareness among consumers.

Speaking on the occasion, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry senior vice-president Khalid Tawab stressed that people should buy branded food items as brands are easy to approach for feedback if any problems occur. Moreover, he appreciated the efforts of the Consumers Association of Pakistan in spreading awareness. He added that soon people will start realising what is good for them.



Malaysian consul-general Ismail bin Mohammad Bakri also appreciated the efforts of the Consumers Association of Pakistan. "I am very pleased to be here and it feels great that [the] people of Pakistan have great interest in food safety and its quality," he said.

Iqbal said that they are committed to providing satisfaction to the consumers. "I acknowledged the efforts of [the] Sindh government," he said. "We will work together with the Sindh government to ensure food safety and quality in Pakistan."

Concluding the event, Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education microbiologist and rector Shahana Urooj Kazmi said that microbiologists and food scientists must also be involved for a better food authority.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13^th, 2016.