The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) continued crackdown on substandard food across the Multan division, inspecting numerous food outlets in Multan, Khanewal, Vehari and Lodhran and imposed heavy fines on 17 food points over serious violations of food safety and hygiene standards.
17 food points penalised for hygiene laws violations
MULTAN, Aug 19 (APP): The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) continued crackdown on substandard food across the Multan division, inspecting numerous food outlets in Multan, Khanewal, Vehari and Lodhran and imposed heavy fines on 17 food points over serious violations of food safety and hygiene standards.
The teams also discarded 31 kilograms of expired food items and 70 sachets of banned gutka.
In Multan, a wholesale food outlet at Adda Bagh Wala, BZU Chowk, was fined Rs50,000 for insect infestation in the storage area, improper temperature control of dairy products and poor sanitation. A food point on Nishtar Road was fined Rs25,000 after open food colours and substandard spices were found, along with insect infestation and an improperly maintained water filter.
A bakery at Masoom Shah road, was fined Rs30,000 for using prohibited food colours during production and storing raw materials directly on the floor. A food manufacturing unit in the Industrial Estate was fined Rs50,000 for inadequate pest control, using a paintbrush for oiling and poor personal hygiene among food handlers.
A pizza and burger outlet near the NADRA Centre in Shah Shams Colony was fined Rs25,000 for storing food in a contaminated freezer, failing to maintain an oil-change record and not using safe drinking water. A biryani and juice outlet at Chowk No. 6 was fined Rs10,000 for using rotten fruits and failing to maintain proper freezer cleanliness.
In Mian Channu, a bakery production unit in the Small Industrial Estate was fined Rs40,000 for heavy insect infestation and the absence of a filtration plant. A drink corner at Middu Wala Chowk, Khanewal, was fined Rs15,000 for selling banned gutka.
Two confectionery units at Adda Chowk Jamal and Shehar Mor, Kabirwala, were collectively fined Rs65,000 for insect infestation in storage areas, the presence of a washroom inside a warehouse, uncovered food and the sale of open spices.
Two bakeries located at the 4-Kilometre area of Kabirwala and Farooq Azam Chowk, Khanewal, were fined Rs55,000 for using open spices and food colours, presence of insects in sweets and extremely poor sanitation.
Meanwhile, a restaurant in Shah Faisal Colony, Burewala, was fined Rs50,000 for heavy insect infestation in the production area and accumulation of contaminated water. A pizza outlet in Karam Pur was fined Rs30,000 for storing food in a contaminated freezer and failing to maintain cleanliness in the kitchen area.
