- Advertisement -
LAHORE, Oct 28 (APP):Under the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Food Authority has launched a state of the art Street Food Safety Program to ensure safe and hygienic food for citizens at the grassroots level. The initiative introduces a structured system for the inspection of street food stalls, carts, dhabas, roadside vendors and small eateries across the province.
The formal inauguration ceremony was held at Barkat Market Lahore, jointly led by Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab Salma Butt and Director General Punjab Food Authority Muhammad Asim Javed. During the launch, 238 small food outlets in 24 major markets of Lahore were inspected and free food safety kits were distributed among vendors.
Special Assistant Salma Butt said that 867 food handlers have so far been trained in food safety practices while 477 have undergone medical screening. She said that the campaign has been initiated from 24 key markets of Lahore, including Neela Gumbad, Jail Road, Jilani Park, Mall Road, Regal Chowk, Lahore Fort, British Council Road, Hall Road, High Court Jain Mandir, Mazang, Shadman, Karim Block, Shalamar Bagh, Liberty Market, Main Market, Bank Square, Gulshan Ravi, Chouburji, Hafeez Center International Market, Model Town Link Road and Faisal Town. The scope of the program will be expanded province wide from Attock to Rajanpur.
DG Punjab Food Authority Muhammad Asim Javaid said that the campaign aims to improve the quality, hygiene and safety of food being sold at local stalls and carts. He said that free hygiene training, medical screening and food safety kits are being provided to small scale food handlers to promote compliance with health and safety standards.
He further said that a special low fee licensing system has been designed for small food businesses to facilitate their inclusion in the formal food sector. Every food related business will be required to obtain a valid license and guidelines have been issued to ensure food is prepared, handled and sold in accordance with approved safety regulations.
He stated that awareness activities are being conducted for consumers, parents and food handlers through multiple platforms to promote food safety and nutrition awareness. He said that under the School Nutrition Program (Phase-II), 10,000 children are being provided freshly prepared nutritious meals daily, containing 480 calories per serving developed under the supervision of nutrition experts.
He said that PFA remains committed to reforming the food business sector and ensuring the provision of safe, hygienic and quality food to every citizen. The DG said that continuous inspections and monitoring will be carried out to maintain food hygiene and safety standards across all markets in Punjab.