PFA to allow qualified Cos to supply food in hospitals

LAHOREL: To overcome the prevailing food safety issues, Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has decided to allow only qualified and approved food companies for supplying food in hospitals, educational institutions, recreational places and government offices' canteens.

PFA will qualify all bakeries and catering companies in the prequalification process and release a comprehensive list of all successful companies after completing the procedure. The purpose of the prequalification round is to appreciate those companies which are following the rules and regulations of PFA.

This was said by Additional Director General (Operations) PFA Rafia Haider. She said that canteen owner/ contractor would be bound to purchase food products from authorised companies/ food suppliers. Besides, they will maintain the record of sale and purchase of food. She said that PFA would take stern action against the canteen owners and suppliers in case of any hygiene issues or sale of banned products.

Rafia Haider said PFA was utilising all available resources and taking steps towards completing the Healthy Punjab Mission. Meanwhile, PFA sealed 21 food businesses and imposed fine of Rs656,500 on 87 food points during inspection of hundreds of food outlets across Punjab.

The purpose of the crackdown was to ensure quality food at shops. The teams sealed production units, restaurants, dairy units, water soda factory and general stores during daylong activity.

PFA watchdogs sealed three food outlets in Faisalabad and DG Khan each, six food businesses in Gujranwala, four in Sargodha, one in Multan and two each in Rawalpindi and Sahiwal divisions. Furthermore, Rs20,7500 fine was imposed on 27 food businesses in Gujranwala, Rs75,500 fine on 14 in Sargodha, Rs135,000 fine on 15, Rs94,000 fine in Multan, Rs31,500 fine on nine in Rawalpindi, Rs32,000 fine on four in Sahiwal and 49,000 fine on eight eateries in Faisalabad division.

The food safety teams discarded more than 20​0kg non-food grade colour, 10,000 rotten eggs, 950 litre adulterated milk, 25 litre skimmed milk, energy drinks, 200 packs of snacks, Chinese salt, adulterated sweets, more than 150 litre rancid oil, sugar syrup, fake ketchup, and many other food products. PFA has imposed fine and sealed shops over failure to meet food standards and follow PFA instructions. PFA served warning notices on hundreds of food points during the operation.