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ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP):Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) carried out a month-long operation in November, inspecting 1,218 food points and imposing Rs 3.68 million in fines as part of its drive to ensure safe food supply across the federal capital.
Meanwhile, the authority also sealed dozens of outlets, issued new licences and discarded large quantities of unsafe products.
Talking to APP, Deputy Director Operations of Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) Dr Tahira Siddique said that the Food Safety Teams (FSTs) checked hundreds of food outlets, collected samples, acted on public complaints and took
measures to improve compliance across the market.
According to the monthly report, the teams inspected 1,218 food points during the November campaign. The authority imposed Rs 3.68 million in fines for violations found during the inspections. Officials reported that 49 food points were sealed for failing to meet basic food safety standards, while 1,085 new licences were issued to bring more businesses
into the formal system.
During the operations, the teams confiscated and disposed of unsafe food items. The discarded stock included 17,170 kilograms of dairy products, 379 litres of beverages, 130 kilograms of meat, 114 kilograms of expired items, and 203 kilograms of prohibited ingredients. These items were removed from circulation to prevent them from reaching consumers.
The Deputy Director, Dr Tahira Siddique, stated that 15 samples of various products being supplied in the market were sent to the laboratory for testing. She added that laboratory screening is a regular part of the authority’s enforcement strategy to identify risks, trace sources and ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
In addition to inspections, the authority also responded to public input. A total of 43 complaints received from citizens were addressed, with follow-up actions taken where necessary. Dr Tahira Siddique said timely response to complaints is an important component of the authority’s work and helps in identifying problem areas quickly.
The authority also issued 540 improvement notices to food businesses. These notices were served to outlets that needed to upgrade hygiene, storage, handling or documentation processes. Officials said these measures aim to guide businesses into meeting basic safety standards rather than only imposing penalties.
Dr Tahira stated that the sale of prohibited or unsafe items will not be allowed under any circumstances. She said all food businesses must ensure compliance with safety standards and cooperate with inspection teams. She added that enforcement will continue to target practices that put public health at risk.
The Deputy Director advised citizens to check products before purchasing and to ensure they are buying approved items. She said consumer awareness is essential in maintaining food safety across markets, as informed choices help curb the circulation of substandard products.
Islamabad Food Authority plans to continue inspections across various sectors, focusing on dairy products, meat shops, beverage sellers, restaurants, cafés and small food operators. Officials said routine monitoring, licensing and testing will remain part of the authority’s strategy to ensure that the food supplied in the city meets the required safety standards.