PFA re-seals milk shop; owner flees

LAHORE: Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Tuesday lodged an FIR against Subhan Milk Point with Mughalpura Police Station for illegal de-sealing of a shop without getting permission from the authority and selling adulterated milk.

PFA Additional Director General (operations) Rafia Haider said that on the tip-off information of PFA vigilance, the team raided and found the shop selling milk. However, the shop owner managed to escape.

She said that PFA has once again sealed the shop and confiscated 2,000 litre adulterated milk from the spot, later discarded. Besides, PFA team also rooted out machinery, including two chillers, one compressor, and two counters. A few days ago, the shop was sealed for selling chemical contaminated milk which was injurious to health for the consumer. PFA will take stern action against violators who found involved in de-sealing any sealed premises without getting permission, she mentioned.

Moreover, PFA teams sealed five food businesses in five divisions and issued fine tickets of Rs418,500 to more than 50 points. All food points were sealed and penalised over failure to meet food standards, poor food hygiene issues and did not comply with PFA instructions.

PFA’s watchdogs have sealed four food points in Gujranwala, two in Rawalpindi and one each in Multan, DG Khan and Faisalabad divisions. Further, teams have imposed Rs67,000 fine on more than five FBOs in Multan, Rs44,000 fine on nine shops in Sargodha, Rs42,000 fine on 10 food points in Rawalpindi, Rs18,500 fine on five food outlets in Faisalabad and Rs180,000 fine on 24 food points in Gujranwala during daylong activity.

Besides, teams have discarded a huge quantity of substandard and unhygienic food products, including 100kg vegetables, 47,968 packs of tea-whitener, 373 canes of energy drinks, substandard sweets, rancid oil and expired cold drinks. PFA has also served warning notices on dozens of food points on the minor violation.