Various food points penalized for hygiene violations

MULTAN, Jul 14 (APP): The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) intensified its crackdown on substandard beverages and unsafe food across South Punjab as part of its ongoing drive to ensure the supply of safe and hygienic food during the summer season.

Acting on the directives of Director General Punjab Food Authority Syed Musa Raza, food safety teams carried out inspections in Vehari and Khanewal, confiscating and destroying more than 350 kilograms of unsafe food items, 150 litres of substandard beverages, 50 litres of poor-quality milk, and 20 kilograms of artificial sweeteners. Violators were fined, while several food businesses were served improvement notices.

In Vehari, inspection teams checked five soda water plants and discarded 150 litres of substandard soft drinks along with 20 kilograms of artificial sweeteners. The production of one water plant was suspended till improvement. Four beverage plants were collectively fined Rs75,000 for using artificial sweeteners, expired flavourings, unclean bottles and caps, and substandard water in beverage production. The inspections were conducted in Muradabad Mailsi, Sharqi colony, 9/11 and Hasilpur road areas.

Meanwhile, in Khanewal, inspections of juice plants, bakeries and milk shops resulted in the destruction of 200 kilograms of rotten fruit, 100 kilograms of substandard mango pulp, and 50 litres of poor-quality milk. Two juice plants were fined for using rotten mangoes and inferior mango pulp, three bakeries for poor hygiene and the use of unsafe ingredients, and two milk shops for selling milk below quality standards. Overall, seven food outlets were fined a total of Rs200,000.

Speaking on the occasion, DG PFA, Syed Musa Raza, said that the authority would continue indiscriminate action against violators to provide safe food to citizens.

The citizens were urged to report food safety complaints through its helpline 1223.