Various food points penalized for hygiene violations

MULTAN, Jul 21 (APP): The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) intensified its crackdown against food businesses violating food safety regulations and selling substandard food, sealing multiple outlets in Multan and Khanewal.

Acting on the directives of Director General Punjab Food Authority Raja Mansoor Ahmad, food safety teams carried out inspections at bakeries, restaurants, cooking centres and poultry shops in Chungi No 14, Pul Wasil, Suraj Kund road, New housing colony, Chowk Kumharanwala and Railway road in Multan.

During the operation, officials discarded more than 13 dozen rotten and broken eggs after finding them unfit for human consumption. Inspections also revealed the use of spoiled eggs in bakery products, poor hygiene conditions, food stored in contaminated freezers, unhygienic washing areas and unsafe food storage practices.

As a result, the PFA sealed two bakeries, one poultry shop, one restaurant and one cooking centre until they comply with food safety standards.

In a separate raid in Khanewal’s areas of 112/10R and Basti Lakhwera, the authority raided an illegal slaughterhouse and confiscated four maunds of meat obtained from diseased animals.

According to the veterinary report, the meat was rotten, foul-smelling, hazardous to human health and unfit for consumption. The meat was destroyed on the spot, while an FIR was registered against the slaughterhouse owner at the concerned police station.

Speaking on the occasion, DG PFA, Raja Mansoor Ahmad said ensuring the availability of safe, quality and hygienic food was top priority. He reaffirmed that strict action would continue against those involved in food safety violations.