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LAHORE, Nov 10 (APP):An enforcement team of Punjab Food Authority conducted a major crackdown against the sale of loose spices across the province under Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s anti adulteration mission.
Food safety teams inspected 10,847 food business operators, sealed 12 units and registered eight FIRs over violations of food safety standards. Fines amounting to over Rs108 million on 960 FBO’s were imposed while 7,404 food points were served improvement notices.
PFA Director General Muhammad Asim Javaid said that the teams confiscated and discarded 816kg of loose spices and 580kg of prohibited ingredients during the operation. He said that 893 inspections were conducted in Lahore Division, 2,438 in Faisalabad, 1,550 in Sahiwal and 1,565 in Rawalpindi. Furthermore, 787 units were checked in Gujranwala Division, 892 in Sargodha, 499 in Bahawalnagar, 1,281 in Multan and 942 in DG Khan Division.
The DG said that FIRs were lodged and involved units sealed after detecting adulteration with prohibited ingredients. He said that poor record keeping practices, absence of mandatory documents and unavailability of employee medical certificates were also witnessed during inspections.
He further stated that enforcement actions were also initiated on the spot against units that failed food safety tests. He reiterated that the sale of substandard and loose spices is strictly banned across Punjab, emphasizing that food businesses must comply with prescribed food safety standards.