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ISLAMABAD, Jun 02 (APP):The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) on Monday sealed a bakery unit here after a social media report exposed poor hygiene practices inside its production unit.
The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) took immediate action, while the factory owner claimed that some individuals posing as journalists had been demanding money by pretending to be food inspectors.
According to the IFA, the action was taken on the direction of the authority’s director. A team led by Deputy Director Dr. Tahira Siddique carried out the inspection.
The team found poor sanitation practices at the site. Open food dyes and unlabelled chemicals were also being used in the preparation of bakery items. These findings led to an immediate sealing of the production unit.
During the inspection, an unexpected situation unfolded. The factory owner informed the IFA team that some individuals had previously visited the bakery and claimed to be from the Food Authority. According to him, these individuals had demanded money from the factory staff.
Meanwhile, the authority is looking into the claims made by the factory owner regarding the impersonation of food inspectors by people posing as journalists. No formal complaint has been registered yet, but the IFA said it is ready to assist if any evidence is provided.
The IFA also recognized the role of responsible media reporting in helping the authority carry out its duties. “Media has always supported our efforts by highlighting real issues. We value such cooperation,” said Dr Tahira.
The factory has been sealed until further notice. IFA officials said they will only allow it to resume operations once all safety and cleanliness requirements are met.
The authority also reminded businesses across the city to maintain proper hygiene and follow food safety rules. Regular checks will continue in different sectors, especially in units preparing food in bulk for commercial sale.
Dr Tahira said that action will be taken against any facility found to be violating health and safety standards. They also encouraged the public to report any similar issues they observe, while cautioning them against spreading unverified information.