RAWALPINDI, Sep 21 (APP):Director Foods North, Punjab Food Authority (PFA), Chaudhry Ijaz Ahmed has said that ensuring safe and quality food for consumers, curbing adulteration and improving compliance with food safety standards are among the authority’s key priorities. Talking to APP, he said the PFA was further strengthening field monitoring and inspection mechanisms in the North Region to ensure effective implementation of food safety regulations. He said PFA teams were …
PFA to intensify food safety measures, facilitate compliant businesses: Director Foods North
RAWALPINDI, Sep 21 (APP):Director Foods North, Punjab Food Authority (PFA), Chaudhry Ijaz Ahmed has said that ensuring safe and quality food for consumers, curbing adulteration and improving compliance with food safety standards are among the authority’s key priorities.
Talking to APP, he said the PFA was further strengthening field monitoring and inspection mechanisms in the North Region to ensure effective implementation of food safety regulations.
He said PFA teams were conducting inspections of restaurants, bakeries, sweet shops, milk outlets and other food businesses, adding that the objective was not merely to take enforcement action but also to guide food business operators and help them comply with prescribed hygiene and food safety standards.
Chaudhry Ijaz Ahmed said special attention was being given to checking adulterated and substandard milk and other food items. Where necessary, action would also be taken against the sources of adulteration and relevant supply chains in accordance with the law.
He said food business operators would be provided proper guidance regarding licensing requirements so that they could obtain and renew licences according to their respective categories and comply with applicable food safety standards.
The Director Foods North said the authority would also focus on awareness and guidance for traders and food business operators, enabling them to meet the required standards and avoid violations.
He said businesses maintaining proper hygiene and complying with food safety standards would be encouraged and facilitated. The objective of the Food Authority was not only to impose fines but also to improve food safety practices and protect public health through the provision of safe and quality food, he added.
Chaudhry Ijaz Ahmed said that where minor shortcomings were identified, food businesses would, where permissible under the law, be given an opportunity to rectify them. However, repeated or serious violations would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
He stressed the importance of cooperation between the PFA and the business community, saying traders and food business operators were expected to comply with prescribed SOPs and play their role in ensuring food safety.
He further said monitoring, awareness and field operations would be further streamlined in the North Region to protect consumers while providing necessary guidance and facilitation to businesses complying with food safety regulations.
