In full swing: PFA continues drive against substandard eatables

PFA seals factories, restaurants and eateries across city

LAHORE: As part of its campaign of curbing the sale of eatables manufactured in unsanitary conditions and adulterated food, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) sealed various establishments on Saturday and fined several others.

PFA officials sealed two salt production units for operating without a licence. One of the units was sealed for manufacturing adulterated products, wrong labelling, absence of an iodisation record, lack of material to determine ratio of iodisation in salt, production and packaging of salt without iodisation and for having a toilet in the storage area.

A PFA team led by Operations Director Ayesha Mumtaz also sealed Ayesha Foods in Samanabad for failing to conduct a medical examination of workers employed in its proofing section, dirty floors and walls, the absence of a ceiling and the presence of scores of insects. The PFA team fined the baked items section of the establishment due to unsanitary conditions, presence of insects and use of rusty trays.

The PFA also sealed Ghausia Nan Shop and Hot Roast Restaurant in Gulshan-i-Ravi for their failure to present employees’ medical certificates, poor cleanliness standards and presence of insects in freezers. The Authority’s Ravi Town team separately sealed Ijaz Salt Products for erroneous labelling, poor storage standards and antiquated equipment. Action was also taken against the unit for poor cleanliness standards, operating without a licence and failure to present employees’ medical certificates. An FIR was also lodged at Lorry Adda police station on this account and once person was nabbed.

Similarly, Pak Kashmir Hotel was sealed for operating without a license, Fri Chiks on Queen’s Road due to unsanitary conditions, blood in freezers and use of substandard meat. Salman Sweets and Bakers on Ferozepur Road was also sealed by PFA officials for the same reasons. The authority also imposed a heavy fine on the canteen at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for unsanitary conditions, inferior quality juices and baked items devoid of labels.

Campaign continuing province-wide: Minister

Food Minister Bilal Yasin said a special campaign was being conducted across the Punjab to ensure the provision of safe and quality eatables on the directives of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Yasin made the remarks while addressing a special meeting of the Divisional Food Authority and Taskforce at the Commissioner Office in Rawalpindi. The minister said new legislation would be drafted soon and effectively enforced after its passage to ensure the provision of safe eatables. He said strict action would be taken against elements involved in manufacturing and selling adulterated and substandard food.

The minister also addressed meetings organised by DCOs in Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum.  He said a Divisional Food Authority composed of MNAs, provincial lawmakers, the commissioner, the DCO, the CPO and the AC had been established. Yasin said an official from the Health Department would be nominated as the operations director on the district level.

He said action would be taken against those found guilty of selling unhygienic eatables. Yasin said offering adulterated products or items manufactured in poor sanitary conditions for sale was a grievous offence. The minister said raids would be conducted daily to inspect quality of eatables. He said special attention should be given to units that produce oil, ghee, spices, poultry, meat, baked items, fast food and restaurants on this account.

Yasin said raids would be conducted on information provided by the CID and Special Branch. He said the SHO from the concerned area would accompany raiding teams. 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2015.