The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Saturday sealed two food businesses and imposed fines totaling Rs470,000 on 27 others during a crackdown against food safety violations in Lahore.
Details of the Inspections
According to a PFA statement, food safety teams inspected 29 food outlets and production units on the directions of Director General (DG) PFA Syed Musa Raza to ensure compliance with food safety regulations. The authority sealed a bakery for allegedly using prohibited ingredients, while a pickle manufacturing unit on Ravi Road was closed for failing to comply with previous official directives.
Hygiene Violations Found
During the inspections, officials found several hygiene violations, including food items placed directly on the floor, dirty covering material, lack of employees’ medical fitness and training records, and poor sanitation conditions. The PFA said inspectors also discovered garbage near food items, insects and cockroaches at the premises, fungus in washing areas, peeling paint, dirty freezers, and the alleged use of prohibited food colors.
Zero-Tolerance Policy
Syed Musa Raza stated that strict action would continue against those violating food safety laws, adding that the authority was pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against adulteration and practices posing risks to public health.
