MULTAN, Apr 10 (APP):The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) launched a major crackdown on food businesses involved in selling substandard and expired food items confiscated over 1,200 kilograms of fungus-infected pickles, 500 kilograms of adulterated ketchup, and 200 kilograms of expired and prohibited food which was discarded.
The enforcement teams inspected multiple food units, including pickle and preserve factories, restaurants, sweet shops, bakeries, and grocery stores in Multan, Vehari, Burewala and Mailsi.
A total of Rs. 340,000 fine was imposed on nine food business operators for severe violations of food safety laws.
Two pickle and preserve manufacturing units were fined Rs. 100,000 each for unhygienic storage conditions and the use of banned, open ingredients in ketchup production. The pickles were being stored in filthy environments and were intended for open street sale in unhygienic packaging.
A preserve unit was fined Rs. 25,000 for fungus-laden products In Ali Town, Burewala.
Similarly, a restaurant at Vehari road, Mailsi, was penalized Rs. 30,000 for selling expired soft drinks. Meanwhile, a grocery store near UBL Bank Street, Burewala, was fined Rs. 35,000 for keeping insect-infested products.
In another action, two sweet shops located at Adda 48 Pul and Sabzi Mandi, Mailsi, were fined Rs. 23,000 for using starch in sweets (barfi). Additionally, a pan shop in 7-WB Vehari was fined Rs. 7,000 for selling expired cold drinks.
Director General of Punjab Food Authority, Muhammad Asim Javed, stated that the PFA teams were working in the field to ensure the availability of safe and healthy food to the public. He urged citizens to report food safety violations by calling the PFA helpline at 1223.
