Food point sealed, others fined for violation

LAHORE: Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has conducted a crackdown on unhygienic food points located at Motorway Service Areas and operation continued till late at night.

PFA Director General Captain (R) Muhammad Usman supervised the operation and visited the kitchens, dining, and processing area of several restaurants to ensure the implementation of Punjab Pure Food Regulations 2018.

The basic purpose of the inspection was to ensure the provision of wholesome and quality food for the commuters who daily visited food points located along the motorway. The restaurants and fast food points were checked in the areas of Bhera and Sial Mor.

During the operation, the provincial food regulatory body raided Sweets and Spice Restaurant, located at Sial Mor Service Area, and sealed it over the worst condition of hygiene, open gutters on kitchen premises and failure to meet hygiene working environment. Apart from that, workers of the restaurant did not have medical certificates.

Moreover, Punjab Food Authority penalised KFC in Sial Mor and Hardee's in Bhera for violation of the PFA rules. Similarly, PFA imposed a heavy fine on Bismillah Dera Restaurant and Shair Shanwari Restaurant for using rusty freezers, poor storage system and for recovering expired products during the raids.

In Kalar Kahar Service Area, PFA inspected 12 food points among three shopkeepers punished with heavy fine tickets and five FBOs served with improvement notices.The PFA DG said that the availability of safe food for commuters was included in the PFA priority list which is ensured at any cost. He said that a surprise food inspection drive would be continued on Motorway and GT Road.