PFA seals 9 food production units, imposes heavy fines

LAHORE, Jul 01 (APP): The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) enforcement teams, on the directions of Director General PFA Syed Musa Raza, carried out a major operation across Lahore city and its adjoining areas as part of the Authority’s continued crackdown on food law violators.

During the operation, 29 food businesses were inspected, nine production units were sealed and fines worth Rs446,000 were imposed on 20 food businesses for serious violations of food safety regulations.

Food safety teams sealed four renowned bakery units, a vermicelli production unit, a kulfi factory, a catering centre, a meat processing unit and a restaurant. Large quantities of prohibited ingredients and expired food items were recovered and discarded during the operation.

DG PFA Syed Musa Raza said that teams found fungus infested and foul smelling freezers, broken floors and stagnant contaminated water at the premises. Food products were being prepared in repeatedly used cooking oil under poor sanitary conditions. Mandatory purchase records and oil replacement logs were unavailable, while finished products were carrying unapproved labels.

He said that teams observed the use of tobacco (naswar) and smoking inside processing areas. Unfiltered water was being used in food preparation, while dirty, broken and rusted utensils were being used for food storage, posing serious risks to food safety and public health. He said that strict implementation of food hygiene standards, food quality requirements, mandatory record keeping and food safety SOPs is being ensured across all food businesses.

He further stated that strict legal action will continue against all businesses operating in violation of food safety laws, stating that no compromise will be made on the quality and safety of food products supplied to consumers.