Public complaints spur food safety check
The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has issued a list of over 80 food outlets graded according to the quality of their food. PHOTO: AFP
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority's Assistant Director Ruqiya Nawaz and Food Safety Officer Ahsan Iqbal carried out inspections of hotels, fast food restaurants and bakeries on GT Road and Haripur City in response to public complaints.
During the inspection, one hotel faced closure while numerous other fast food establishments received substantial fines due to their lack of medical facilities and severe hygiene deficiencies.
Another notable occurrence involved a popular samosa chaat vendor, who was heavily fined for failing to show a medical certificate and for unhygienic storage of chutney [sauce] in a paint bucket. The chutney was immediately discarded on-site and a stern caution was issued, emphasising stringent repercussions for anyone trying to sell unhealthy food.
The public lauded the crackdown of the assistant director and food safety officer for their proactive measures under the food authority's purview and expressed their desire for a consistent continuation of such initiatives. While officials from the Halal Food Authority Department affirmed that ongoing operations cover the entire region, they are dedicated to addressing public concerns earnestly. Additionally, unanticipated inspections are conducted to safeguard citizens' well-being, and no compromises are tolerated when it comes to public health.
According to Iqbal, notable hotels and factories have faced enforcement actions as part of substantial operations by the department. He emphasised that whenever authentic complaints are received throughout the area, appropriate action is taken.
Outlining the licencing requisites, he clarified that the sanitation laws are aligned with hygiene and cleanliness standards. Selling substandard food items is strictly prohibited, underscoring the need for customers to scrutinise products before making purchases. He noted that complaints of the sale of expired juices and cold drinks were prevalent and fines had also been imposed on multiple vendors
He highlighted that, in accordance with both provincial government regulations and the existing Halal Food Authority standards, the minimum penalty is Rs25,000.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2023.