KP Food Authority starts inspecting hospital canteens

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority has initiated a two-day special drive targeting the canteens of major hospitals across the province.

A spokesperson for the Authority stated that inspections were carried out at district headquarters hospitals as well as public and private hospitals in Peshawar, Mardan, Malakand, Hazara, Kohat, Bannu, and DI Khan divisions.

The investigation revealed a significant number of complaints concerning the sale of substandard food products and kebabs in hospital premises, along with unhygienic conditions in hospital canteens in Peshawar.

In response, surprise raids were conducted on government and private hospital canteens, including those at Lady Reading Hospital and Sifwat Ghayur Shaheed Memorial Hospital, as well as hospitals on Warsak and Ring Road.

During the raid, the canteen at Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar was found to have extremely poor hygiene conditions, resulting in its immediate sealing and imposition of heavy fines. Improvement notices were also issued following inspections of hospital canteens province-wide.

Director General of the Food Authority, Wasif Saeed, commended the efforts of inspection teams and reiterated the commitment to maintaining health standards, vowing to eliminate malpractices across the province.

Provincial Minister for Food Zahir Shah Toru also directed food safety teams to conduct regular inspections of school and hospital canteens to ensure strict compliance. The minister stressed the need to take strict action against those involved in adulteration.