LAHORE, Feb 25 (APP): The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) is ensuring strict compliance with food safety protocols from preparation to distribution of Iftar meals at Nigehban Dastarkhwans across the province under the directions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
The authority has started free distribution of food safety kits at all food points in Lahore and other districts to strengthen safe food practices during Ramadan. Food safety teams have provided kits to handlers engaged in meal preparation at Ramadan Nigehban Dastarkhwans. In Lahore alone, more than 1,000 food handlers have been supplied with aprons, caps, face masks and gloves to ensure hygienic handling of food.
Director General Muhammad Asim Javaid said special emphasis was being placed on hygiene and quality of food prepared at Nigehban Dastarkhwans. He said strict adherence to hygiene principles was being ensured at every stage, including preparation, packing and distribution. Awareness about food safety and a sense of responsibility among food handlers were also being actively promoted, with compliance integrated into monitoring mechanisms.
He said the PFA was playing an active and prominent role in the public service initiative, adding that during large-scale Iftar distribution in Ramadan, public health was being safeguarded through strict oversight. The mission, he said, was to make Nigehban Dastarkhwans a model programme in terms of food safety.
The DG added that a zero-tolerance policy on food safety was being enforced from Iftar till Sehri, ensuring cleanliness, precautionary measures and quality standards at all public Dastarkhwans in line with the Chief Minister’s vision to provide quality food across Punjab.