Rs1.730m fine imposed on 132 food points

LAHORE:The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) Sunday launched a province-wide inspection drive at Motorway Service areas, Lorry Adda and Railway Stations to ensure provision of safe, healthy and quality food for commuters.

In this connection, PFA Director General Muhammad Asim Javaid visited cafes, tuck shops, restaurants and other eateries at the motorway service areas from Lahore to Faisalabad.

He examined the production area, kitchens and other parts of the food outlets. The authority shut down a famous restaurant, punished 132 food business operators (FBO) with Rs1.730 million fine and issued warning notices for improvement to others.

The teams inspected more than 1,180 food points, including 860 eateries in Lorry Adda and 322 at Motorway Service areas. Meanwhile, they also discarded 318 litre spurious drinks, 390 litre drinking water, 150kg expired snacks and 140 litre rancid edible oil.

Asim Javaid said that the authority took action against FBOs due to selling expired snacks and substandard drinking water, using rotten vegetables and failing to present the product registration certificates and medicals of workers. He further said that hefty fines were imposed over violations of the Punjab Pure Food Regulations and served warning notices on others, asking them to improve hygiene conditions and remove minor issues.