PFA fines violators Rs 452m during crackdown on substandard ghee, oil

LAHORE, Mar 07 (APP):The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) destroyed more than 258,993 kilograms/litres of substandard ghee and cooking oil supplied in the market during 2025 as part of a major crackdown to ensure safe and quality food for consumers.
PFA Director General Muhammad Asim Javaid told media on Saturday that food safety teams collected 271 samples of edible oil and ghee during the year, of which 221 were declared fit while 32 failed laboratory tests. Among the failed samples, two did not meet safety parameters and 16 brands were found involved in incorrect labeling. He said that acting on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, strict monitoring of the production, processing and sale of ghee and cooking oil was continuing across the province.
According to the DG, PFA teams conducted inspections at 145,736 ghee mills, units, wholesalers, suppliers and retailers across Punjab during 2025. As a result, 26,284 outlets were fined more than Rs452.15 million, while 112 cases were registered against violators of food safety laws.
He further revealed that 107 samples of ghee and cooking oil products supplied from outside the province were tested at Punjab’s borders. Of these, 27 samples passed, 48 failed on quality parameters, 19 failed on safety standards and 13 were found with incorrect labeling.
Muhammad Asim Javaid said the authority had proposed national-level reforms to improve the quality of edible oil and ghee, including the formation of an inter-provincial working group comprising the Ministry of Industries and Production, Ministry of Science and Technology and provincial food authorities. He added that strict legal action had been taken against brands failing laboratory tests and relevant authorities in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had also been recommended to initiate action.
The DG emphasized that the authority would continue strict enforcement against violators and strengthen coordination among provincial food authorities to curb the supply of unsafe ghee and cooking oil in the market.