PFA seals pickle, murabba production units

LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) continued its grand operation against unhygienic eateries, food processing units and adulteration mafia in the province by following the directions of Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.

On Tuesday, the authority sealed 11 food businesses, including two pickle and preserved fruits (murabba) manufacturing units, over violation of the provincial food regulations. PFA inspected 73 pickle and murabba units in 36 districts of Punjab and slapped fine on five food outlets. PFA also warned 58 food business operators to improve hygiene conditions.

PFA Director General Irfan Memon said that teams took action against the units over substandard production, non-compliance of the instructions and use of prohibited ingredients. He said PFA sealed ‘Al Basheer Food Product’ in Sheikhpura and ‘Abdul Rehman Muraba Walay’ for using rotten fruits with hazardous chemicals in preparation of pickle and preserved fruits. The raiding teams also witnessed poor storage system, tobacco smoking and worst condition of hygiene there.

The DG said that PFA watchdog teams discarded 4,000kg poor quality pickle and muraba along with 5,000kg raw material. In South Region, PFA sealed three food points in routine food inspection operation. According to details, PFA raided Raza Spices Store in Khanawal and sealed it over contaminated red chilli. Two stores were shut down in Lodhran due to selling expired food items, unhygienic conditions and for not following the food law.

The teams have also imposed Rs138,500 fine on numerous eateries. Similarly, PFA shut down New Hayyat Store and Jamal Store in North Zone. It sealed both food points in Chakwal for selling expired food items, poor cleanliness arrangements and non-compliance of instructions. The teams also imposed Rs43,000 fine in Rawalpindi division and served warning notices for improvement to 167 food business operators.

The provincial food regulatory body sealed Pakistan Foundation College’s canteen in Narrowal during operation in Gujranwala division. A canteen was shut down for selling carbonated drinks and expired food items. Apart from that, workers of the canteen did not have medical certificates. PFA officials imposed Rs45,000 fine on shopkeepers and issued warning notices to 121 food business operators.

In Sargodha division, the authority closed down Saleem Enterprises on account of poor storage system and worst condition of hygiene and other violations.

Further, the teams stopped the production of three food points by serving emergency prohibition orders over violations. PFA watchdog teams also served warning notices for improvement on 60 food business operators.

sealed: Environment Protection Department (EPD) Tuesday sealed three industrial units over improper arrangements of water treatment plants.

According to a statement issued here, the industrial units were sealed on the direction of Minister EPD Muhammad Rizwan. Focal person judicial water and environment commission Ali Ijaz along with police took action against wastewater units on Multan Road. He sealed units of knitwear, bakers and a mill.

The minister in a departmental meeting was briefed that notices were served to different units in Lahore and a report was forwarded to Judicial Commission Justice Ali Akbar Qureshi who ordered action against units violating the environment act.

He directed for implementing Punjab Environmental Protection Agency Act in true letter and spirit and said Punjab environmental protection agency should take action against illegal industrial units, especially in the Lahore.

In this regard, the minister directed EPA DG to take action and implement clean and green Punjab initiative.