Maintaining standards : ICT admin fines unhygienic eateries

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration imposed fines worth Rs54,000 on food outlets for poor sanitary conditions in their kitchens and premises last week.

The authorities also issued notices to 30 eateries for violation of hygiene and sanitation laws. A bakery was sealed while 12 food outlets were fined for failing to comply with food safety laws during a drive against sub-standard food.

Inspection teams of ICT food and health department conducted 152 inspections and issued 30 notices to food outlets during the week. The inspection teams also confiscated 52 broken and filthy utensils and sent various food samples for examination.

They also delivered 39 lectures on public health education at public places. Secretariat Assistant Commissioner Waqas Rashid checked standards at food outlets in Bhara Kahu and Khana Pul and imposed fines amounting to Rs34,000 for poor sanitary and hygiene conditions.

The administration has directed all restaurants and vendors to ensure compliance of the law.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2015.