MULTAN, Sep 20 (APP):The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) intensified its crackdown on water plants selling substandard water in the name of mineral water, sealing 30 plants in Multan, Lodhran, Dunyapur and Kehror Pakka after their water samples failed quality tests. According to the PFA, 10 water plants in Multan were ordered to halt production until improvement after tests detected bacteria and arsenic in water samples. The action was taken in …
PFA seals 30 water plants, fines food outlets
MULTAN, Sep 20 (APP):The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) intensified its crackdown on water plants selling substandard water in the name of mineral water, sealing 30 plants in Multan, Lodhran, Dunyapur and Kehror Pakka after their water samples failed quality tests.
According to the PFA, 10 water plants in Multan were ordered to halt production until improvement after tests detected bacteria and arsenic in water samples. The action was taken in various areas, including Mati Tal road, Raja Pur, MDA Chowk, D-Market Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Masoom Shah Darbar and Nawabpur road.
Food safety teams also inspected restaurants, bakeries and other food businesses. A well-known restaurant at Mall of Multan was fined Rs40,000 for failing to maintain an oil disposal record, inadequate cleaning of utensils, particles found in sauces and poor cleaning of machinery.
A hotel at Bahadurpur Chowk was fined Rs25,000 for inadequate pest-control arrangements, poor cleanliness in the dishwashing area and failure to maintain a filter replacement record.
Two sweets and bakery outlets in Dera Adda Chowk and Main Bazaar Rashidabad Colony were collectively fined Rs45,000 for keeping uncovered and prohibited ingredients, unclean freezers and machinery, uncovered food and particles found in sweets.
In Lodhran, Dunyapur and Kehror Pakka, 20 water plants were also ordered to stop production until improvement after their water samples failed laboratory tests, with bacteria and arsenic detected during testing.
PFA Director General Raja Mansoor Ahmed said inspections of water plants were continued across Punjab to ensure the availability of clean and safe drinking water, adding that no compromise would be made on water quality.
He urged citizens to report complaints related to food safety to the Punjab Food Authority helpline 1223.
The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) intensified its crackdown on unsafe drinking water and unhygienic food outlets on Sunday, sealing 30 water filtration plants and imposing fines on several businesses across Multan, Lodhran, Dunyapur, and Kehror Pakka.
According to a spokesperson, 10 water plants in Multan were ordered to halt production after laboratory tests detected bacteria and arsenic in water samples collected from Mati Tal Road, Raja Pur, MDA Chowk, Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Masoom Shah Darbar, and Nawabpur Road.
Similarly, 20 water plants in Lodhran, Dunyapur, and Kehror Pakka were closed for failing quality tests due to bacterial contamination and elevated arsenic levels.
During routine inspections of food establishments, food safety teams fined a popular restaurant at Mall of Multan Rs 40,000 for unhygienic conditions, lack of oil disposal records, and contaminated sauces, while a hotel at Bahadurpur Chowk was fined Rs 25,000 for poor sanitation and pest control failure.
Additionally, two sweet shops in Dera Adda Chowk and Rashidabad Colony were collectively fined Rs 45,000 for using prohibited ingredients, maintaining unclean freezers, and leaving sweet items uncovered.
PFA Director General Raja Mansoor Ahmed stated that province-wide inspections would continue to ensure safe drinking water, adding that no compromise would be made on food quality. He urged citizens to report violations via the PFA helpline 1223.
