PFA cracks down on substandard food products

LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) continued its operation against the sale of substandard food products in Ramazan bazaars and open markets across Punjab on Saturday. The authority’s food safety officers sealed 15 food businesses for violating food regulations.

PFA officials paid surprise visits to Ramazan bazaars and open markets during sehr and iftar and inspected the quality of food items. PFA officials also imposed penalties on violators of provincial food regulations.

Provincial food watchdog served emergency prohibition order (EPO) to three food businesses and directed them to immediately stop their productions in Rawalpindi and Gujranwala divisions. PFA officials visited around 4,000 food points in all 36 districts, including Lahore, and closed down over a dozen businesses being run by operators.



The food quality watchdog sealed three juice factories in Multan, one soda water unit in Sargodha, a milk shop and soda water unit in Gujranwala, water filtration plant, ice factory and lemon soda factory in Dera Ghazi Khan and five food businesses in Rawalpindi division.

Meanwhile, PFA’s Quality Assurance Managers (QAMs) and Food Safety Officers (FSOs) checked the quality of pulses, spices, meat, sugar, flour, beverages and other essential commodities which were at stalls in Ramazan bazaars. They also bound shopkeepers to ensuring hygienic principles. PFA has discarded approximately 200 kilograms of vegetables, fruits, and pulses in Lahore.

Similarly, PFA also imposed fines of Rs134,000 on eight shops in Lahore, Rs157,500 on 15 food points in DG Khan division, Rs60,000 on six FBOs in Multan, Rs49,500 fine on 13 shops in Rawalpindi, Rs39,500 fine on 11 points in Sargodha and Rs131,500 fine on 14 eateries in Gujranwala.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20^th, 2018.