Many food companies using PFA logo without approval

LAHORE : A number of local and multi-national companies are using logo of Punjab Food Authority (PFA) without getting proper permission from the authority, which is tantamount to crime and misleading the customers.

Sources in PFA revealed that the authority has received a number of complaints that many local and multi-national companies are using the logo of PFA on their products.

They are advertising their products on social media, regular media and private channels that their products are approved by Punjab Food Authority.

A senior PFA official said as per rules and regulations of PFA, no company is allowed to use PFA’s logo just after getting a product licence from the authority.

He said after getting product licence from Punjab Food Authority, a manufacturer has to go for process of “Product Registration” after which the matter should be referred to a scientific panel of the authority for final approval about use of the PFA’s logo.

Anyone can get its product(s) registered with PFA for use of logo under section 57 of the Punjab Food Authority Act, 2011 (XVI of 2011) for the Food Authority (Product Registration & Display of PFA Logo) Regulations, 2017.

The gazette notification said the food authority is mandated to provide safe, healthy and wholesome food to the public, at large.

To achieve the purpose, PFA has launched product registration.

“After the enforcement of these regulations only those food products could be sold within the territorial jurisdiction of the food authority which are duly registered with the food authority and have got Punjab Food Authority logo from the food authority.

Every food business operator shall ensure each packed food items registration before using PFA logo,” the gazette notification said.

Punjab Food Authority officials said anyone intending to store, import, transport, export, manufacture or sale food product shall be required to obtain Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) from the office of PFA in a prescribed manner as may be specified from time to time.

“CPR shall be issued once the food authority is satisfied that the product conforms to the food safety, quality, labelling requirements and hygiene standards as laid down in the rules or the regulations,” the notification said, adding every food business operator have to submit brand name, product description, details of packing materials, details of importer/distributor, address of establishment, shelf life of the product, a non-refundable fee, a notarized declaration and any other requirement demanded by PFA for getting CPR.

PFA sources revealed that the authority has so far given permission to use its logo to some dozen small companies, who had fulfilled the criteria settled by the authority.

They said the authority is avoiding giving use of logo permission to daily use, perishable and food items with low shelf life because such items can lose their quality and ultimately brings a bad name to Punjab Food Authority.

When contacted, a PFA’s spokesman confirmed that many complaints were received in this regard and Punjab Food Authority has started working on this issue.

He said a major campaign will soon be launched across the province against those who are using PFA’s logo without proper approval.