The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) enforcement teams conducted a large-scale operation against the food fraud mafia in Lahore, led by Additional Director General Operations Asad Ullah. The operation targeted three production units and a warehouse, resulting in the sealing of three units, registration of two FIRs, and disposal of 71,251 kg of expired food products from various brands, valued at millions of rupees.
Details of the Operation
The food safety teams carried out raids at locations including Guru Mangat Road, Butt Chowk, Township, and Sundar Industrial Estate. Action was taken after discovering that expired food products were being relabelled with altered expiry dates for resale. A large stock of expired items recovered from the warehouse was discarded on the spot.
DG PFA Syed Musa Raza stated that mandatory traceability records and supply documents were unavailable at the units. He noted that no effective system or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) existed for the disposal of expired food products. Teams found that expiry dates had been erased and replaced with new dates on various products.
Seizure of Equipment and Unhygienic Conditions
A date printing machine used to alter manufacturing and expiry dates was taken into custody during the operation. The DG further said that several products were being offered for sale without mandatory registration and label approval. The warehouse was found in poor hygienic condition with a heavy infestation of insects. Additionally, food handlers lacked mandatory medical screening and food safety training certificates. The units had also failed to comply with previously issued directions.
Protecting Public Health
Syed Musa Raza emphasized that various expired food products popular among children were recovered and discarded to protect public health. He stated that PFA teams remain active round the clock to eliminate every tactic used by the food fraud mafia. He urged the public to support the PFA in eliminating the adulteration mafia and to report any complaints to the PFA helpline at 1223.
