PFA launches much needed training schools

LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has launched its training school to educate restaurant/food industry professionals and workers on ways of better handling edible items.

PFA Director General Noorul Amin Mengal and newly-appointed PFA Board of Directors Chairman Raza Hayyat Barraj inaugurated the training facility on Tuesday. Mengal told participants at the inaugural ceremony that the authority simultaneously established training schools in Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Faisalabad, while classes were under way.

He disclosed that in the first batch, some 250 food industry professionals were being trained. The PFA DG said the authority had registered 300 workers and professionals in each district for training in different phases.



The food regulator initially started level 1 training for handling prepared food by waiters and bakery workers. In addition, the authority would educate these candidates on food safety, nutrition and regulations before issuing certificates to candidates on the successful completion of the short course.

Mengal underscored that once a reasonable number of people were equipped with the necessary skills, the authority would only allow people trained individuals to work in the food sector. The authority also prepared the curriculum for levels 2, 3 and 4. These stages would involve training on food preparation, management and master trainers.



Raids

Provincial food regulators continued their operation against the adulteration and sale of substandard milk in the province. PFA officials installed pickets at entry points of the provincial capital to quality the check of milk being transported towards the city for sale.

PFA Operations Director Rafia Haider revealed that the authority’s officials had discarded over 24,688 liters of substandard and unwholesome milk across Punjab.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2017.