Public complaints: Abbottabad admin imposes fines on food outlets, seals one

Assistant commissioner, food controller find extremely unhygienic conditions in kitchen, pantry

ABBOTTABAD: The district administration in Abbottabad swooped down on high-end bakeries and fast food outlets sealing one restaurant and slapping cash penalties on others.

The civil authorities found rats and cockroaches in the kitchen and pantry of an upscale food outlet, which is a famous hangout for the affluent youth of the town.

Moreover, others were found feeding their patrons rotten meat cooked with moth ridden spices in substandard cooking oil, official sources said.

Acting on public grievances, Assistant Commissioner Dr Jahanzeb conducted raids on Wednesday on the famous bakers and restaurant and imposed fines for using substandard cooking oil and extremely unhygienic conditions of the kitchens.

Accompanied by the district food controller, the AC raided Mir Bakers, Hot and Spicy, Saif Restaurant. The authorities checked the conditions of the pantry and the kitchen and the food stock of these famous eateries.

They seized substandard meat, spices, cooking oil from the said outlets and imposed fines of up to Rs200,000 on their managements.

However, Lahore Chatkara was sealed till further notice. The civil administration team was appalled to find rats and cockroaches in the kitchen of Lahore Chatkhara  forcing them to seal the premises till a decision is taken by higher authorities.

The district administration has started a drive against bakeries, restaurants, hotels and fast-food points to check their hygienic conditions. It has sealed dozens of outlets and levied fines too for unhygienic conditions.

People have appreciated the raids on the famous restaurants, bakeries  and demanded from local authorities to permanently resolve the issue of substandard food items and unhealthy environment of  restaurants  and eateries.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2016.