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By Usman Zia
ISLAMABAD, Jun 29 (APP):The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) on Sunday released a detailed inspection report covering the period from July 1, 2024, to July 26, 2025, outlining the outcomes of its regulatory efforts across the federal capital.
Talking to APP, Deputy Director Operations of Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) Dr Tahira Siddique said that the report presents data on inspections, fines, licenses, and other enforcement actions taken throughout the year to monitor and improve food safety standards in the city.
According to the report, the inspection record shows that a total of 13,505 inspections and visits were conducted during the year. These inspections were part of routine checks to assess compliance with hygiene, safety, and regulatory standards among food businesses operating in Islamabad.
As a result of these inspections 8,233 improvement notices were issued to food businesses. These notices were given where minor violations were found, requiring the establishments to make necessary improvements in cleanliness, safety, or operations.
In 3,128 cases, officials issued verbal instructions instead of formal notices, usually in cases of low-risk or first-time issues.
While, eighteen Emergency Prohibition Orders (EPOs) were processed in total. Out of these, 17 EPOs were imposed to immediately stop operations at premises posing risks to public health. One EPO was lifted following compliance.
The authority imposed fines on 1,427 businesses, collecting a total amount of Rs 19.21 million during the reporting period. The fines were imposed for violations such as poor hygiene conditions, unsafe food practices, and failure to comply with safety regulations.
In addition to fines, 353 establishments were sealed following serious violations that made continued operation unsafe or unlawful.
To support legal and registered food trade, the authority also issued 2,513 licenses to businesses that met the required standards. These licenses were provided to food operators who applied and qualified after inspection and documentation checks.
To ensure the quality and safety of consumables, 169 food samples were taken during the inspections. These samples were sent for lab testing to verify compliance with food safety regulations. The results helped in taking further action where necessary.
In response to public concerns, 358 complaints were redressed. These complaints came from citizens and were related to issues such as expired products, unhygienic conditions, and mislabeling of food items.
Legal actions were also initiated in 11 cases, where First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered for serious violations that required police involvement and further investigation.
As part of public awareness and capacity building, 17 seminars were conducted throughout the year. These sessions were aimed at educating food handlers, restaurant owners, and staff about food safety standards, hygiene practices, and legal responsibilities.
Dr Tahira said the yearly inspection record demonstrates the Islamabad Food Authority’s efforts to regulate food safety across the city. By conducting over 13,000 visits, taking enforcement action, issuing licenses, and holding awareness sessions, the authority worked to maintain safety standards and respond to public concerns.
This report provides a glimpse into the administrative functions carried out behind the scenes to ensure food safety and compliance in the federal capital.