Punjab Food Authority Inspects 43,689 Food Points, Seals 747 During Last Month

LAHORE, (Muzaffargarh.City – 3rd Nov, 2018 ) :Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has conducted 43,689 general inspections of food businesses across Punjab and shut down 747 sites due to multiple violations of food safety standards and got registered 52 cases in respective police stations during last month (October).

According to PFA Director General Captain (R) Muhammad Usman here Saturday, the Authority had served 25,000 improvement notices on minor issues and thousands of food business operators were penalized with heavy fine tickets.

He also chaired a meeting to review PFA performance during last month at his office, while PFA Additional Director General operations Rafia Haider presented a performance report.

Sharing region-wise statistics of October 2018 with media, he said, PFA conducted 12,868 raids on food points and closed down 232 shops in Central Lahore Zone while 217 outlets were shutdown during 17,085 raids in North Rawalpindi Zone, besides 6,020 raids in South Multan Zone where 94 food outlets were sealed.

Similarly, PFA checked 4,264 food outlets in South Muzaffargarh and sealed 111 there, he maintained.

He also mentioned that in September 2018, PFA had conducted 41,132 raids; sealed 742 and issued fine tickets to 2,415 food business operators as well as got registered 31 FIRs.

Muhammad Usman said that Punjab Food Authority took action against hotels, restaurants, production units, canteens, sweets and bakers and other food points. The purpose of sealing and imposing of fines was to reform food business operators, he said and added that consumers could register their complaints and suggestions on PFA websites, complaint cell, and its Facebook page, assuring that their complaint would immediately be addressed.

The PFA Director General said the Authority was utilizing all available resources to improve hygiene issues in Punjab. He also appreciated the PFA enforcement teams and concerned wings’ heads for rooting out the menace of adulteration effectively.