Safe and hygienic: PFA introduces new mechanism to regulate food outlets

Pilot project planned for MM Alam Road and the Liberty area.

LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) is set to introduce a new mechanism to regulate standards across the food and beverage sector The Express Tribune has learnt.

The initiative is being taken to ensure that quality, infrastructure, hygiene and cleanliness standards are maintained. The authority would develop a software containing 54 checklists to award up to 100 points to review standards at cafes, restaurants and hotels. An official speaking to The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity said the mechanism would be introduced as a pilot project initially at food outlets on the MM Alam Road and in the vicinity of the Liberty Market.

The official said outlets that scored less than 50 per cent of the aggregate marks on the checklist would be closed. He said the authority had decided to score outlets in accordance with international standards. He said the system favoured assurance of cleanliness and employees’ health.



The authority has categorised indicators in six classes including food traceability, kitchen infrastructure, kitchen cleanliness, human resource hygiene, employee washrooms and authority vigilance in this regard. The traceability category includes delivery dates, quantity records, materials delivered and used, expiry dates and a licence permitting the sale of food.

The kitchen infrastructure checks include ventilation, lighting, cabinets, flooring, cooking equipment and storage facilities.

The cleanliness category includes use of bins, chillers, freezers, washing and fumigation procedures.

The human resource hygiene category includes use of caps and gloves by employees and their attire and health. The employee washroom checks include the standard of construction and provision of soap among other things. The authority vigilance category includes the number of notices issued, inspections conducted and action taken on receipt of warnings.

The official said every category would carry fixed marks. He said it would be binding on the outlet management to display the score on a notice board and at entry and exit points for the benefit of the patrons.

Speaking to The Express Tribune Director General Asad Islam Mahni said the authority would implement international best practices to ensure the provision of quality food and maintenance of standards. He said the initiative would provide an incentive for improving standards and gaining consumer confidence. He said no tolerance would be shown in the provision of quality service and the authority would seal outlets that scored less than 50 per cent points.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2014.