New ways: Food officers not to conduct raids alone

Step taken to minimise chances of corruption

LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has barred single-handed inspections by its officials to minimise chances of corruption.

PFA Director General Noorul Amin Mengal approved a new standard operating procedure (SOP), on Monday for inspection of eateries and food outlets in the provincial metropolis.

As per the new SOP, no food safety officer, assistant food safety officer or any other official can visit any food outlet alone. All raids and inspections will be conducted as a coordinated team exercise.

Mengal also approved a uniform for food safety officers, which they will wear during raids and inspection. The uniform will have the authority’s logo and officer’s name band for identification. Gloves and facemask have also been made mandatory for PFA officials to wear during inspection.

Moreover, the new SOP suggests food safety teams take pictures and make videos as evidence, before sealing any food outlet. The visual evidence data collected during inspection will be stored on minimum two backup hard drives.

The officials concerned have also been directed to properly keep the record of official data and collect samples and handover official data to another official in case they are transferred to another town or city. If the relevant officials fail to do so strict action will be taken as per the authority’s regulations.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2016.