Importers directed to re-label edibles in Urdu or English

LAHORE Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has directed importers of food items to only use Urdu/English language for re-labelling their products.

PFA officials said the Authority is refining food industry by passing new laws, updating existing ones and taking new initiatives. They said PFA has taken much needed step towards labelling of imported products and warned importers and manufacturing companies to stop labelling products in any language other than Urdu and English. Warning further reads that strict action shall be taken against violators, non-compliant and all their products shall be confiscated.

A notice issued by the PFA Director General office reads that PFA has given two months deadline to all importers which will end on 31st May. Notice further warned that PFA shall be taking indiscriminate action against importers for overcoming the food safety issues especially related to imported products after May 31. Notice also explained that chances of purchasing wrong food products increase because of foreign language label and people prefer such products without knowing its specification and uses.

Speaking to reporters, PFA Director General Noorul Amin Mengal told that PFA is very much conscious about the mode of labelling for which we are utilising all available resources and ensuring the “Mode of labelling of pre-packed foods" following the Punjab Pure Food Regulations 2017. He said no person can sell by retail or display for sale any pre-packed food unless a true statement is not fixed on products about label.

According to Punjab Pure Food Regulations 2017 (Part-III), section 8, company will be clearly legible and appear conspicuously in a prominent position on the label. If the food is pre-packed in more than one wrapper, the label shall be marked on attached to the innermost wrapper or container. If it is not clearly legible through the outermost wrapper a label bearing like statement shall be marked on the outermost wrapper.The DG said no person can prepare or advertise for sale or sell any food specified in sub-rule (5) unless the package containing such food beats a date marking in any of the forms specified in sub-rules (3&4). He added that PFA has also bound formula companies before this to label “It is not a substitute of mother milk” on 15 percent area of the product. He said the Authority will not spare anyone found guilty of dereliction of duties and to sell products by deceiving the customer or wrong labelling. PFA stance is very bold before day first about labelling. He said that all those companies who sell products by disseminating misleading information and glossy language on their products and in advertisement campaigns, they are doing “white collar crime”, he mentioned.

Meanwhile, food safety teams of Punjab Food Authority have caught red-handed Ahmed Fat Rendering Unit for extracting oil from animal wastes and fats while lodged an FIR against them in the respective police stations Tuesday. Besides, PFA also sealed Faizan Milk Shop over failure to meet the food standards during operation held against food business operators in the metropolis.

PFA has launched a province-wide crackdown and closed down nine food businesses along with 73 food points penalised with heavy fine tickets of Rs470,000. Briefed about daylong activity, Additional Director General (operations) Rafia Haider said that PFA slogan of providing healthy food “From Farm to Fork” is not merely a slogan but is our practical priority.

She said that rendering unit was functional in the densely populated area of Talat Park and being prepared ghee and edible oil from animal wastes. Further, ready oil and ghee was refilling in the different brands of cooking oil which had to supply on local shops and restaurants. Faizan Milk Shop was sealed due to presence of insects, improper cleanliness arrangements and other multiple food hygiene issues.

Similarly, out of nine sealing, three food points sealed in Multan, four in Gujranwala and one each in Rawalpindi and Sahiwal divisions for not complying with PFA’s institutions and over failure to maintain the hygienic working environment. Further, teams also observed multiple issues like using non-food grade colour in the preparing of sweets, not to maintain the record, use of rotten vegetables, cooking food in rancid oil and many others. Apart from that, workers of the food outlets did not have medical certificates.

PFA’s watchdogs have imposed Rs273,500 fine on 36 eateries in Gujranwala, Rs10,000 fine on two shops in Lahore, Rs81,000 fine on eight food points in Multan, Rs51,500 fine on 14 food outlets in Rawalpindi, Rs8,000 fine in Sahiwal, Rs25,000 fine in Sargodha and Rs21,000 fine on five food premises in Bahawalpur.

She said that operation was monitored by respective area Director Operations and Deputy Director Operations. Raiding teams have discarded 200kg coloured snacks (papar), 250kg rotten vegetables and fruits, 170litre adulterated milk, 100kg rancid oil and non-food grade by taking into custody. PFA has also served improvement notices on various food points during operation.