14 food points sealed for violations in Punjab

The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) sealed 14 food points in Punjab, including four in the provincial metropolis, over violations of the regulations on food.

The authority also discarded 0.8 million cola drinks and a huge amount of substandard sweets, milk and other items during the last two days.

The action was taken against food businesses operators during visits of food safety teams which were monitored by the PFA officials in their respective districts. PFA Director Deneral Irfan Memon led a grand operation in the City.

The PFA raided Amjad Labelling Unit and recovered more than 0.8 million fake bottles, caps and labels.

In South region, the PFA Multan team sealed Maqbool Ahmed and Imran Fat Rendering Unit over untraceable oil, having no contact with bio-diesel company, extracting oil from animal fats, having no labelling on processed oil and poor arrangements for insect control and stinky atmosphere. In Vehari, Mumtaz Spices Factory was sealed over adulterated spices, expired products and poor arrangements of cleanliness.

In Rahim Yar Khan and DG Khan, Rehmani Sweets and Bakers and Waqar Sweets were sealed over using textile colours, toxic chemicals, having no certificates of workers.

In Bahawalpur, Alfarooq Food Café, Khan Broast and Chicken Biryani, Chaudhary G Chicken Broast were sealed over use of rancid oil, no labelling and having no record of oil changing. In Bahawalnagar, Super Sip Tea warehouse was sealed over repacking of expired tea, addition of non-food graded colours and no cleanliness of store.

A team of PFA Rahimyar Khan closed down Ishfaq Kiryana Merchant over selling prohibited gutka, expired items, loose spices and having no license. In Faisalabad, the PFA raided Jamal Sweets and Bakers and sealed it due to poor storage, stinky atmosphere, rusty machinery and use of toxic chemicals.

In Gujranwala division, the PFA team raided Mukhtar King Fish and sealed it over adulterated spices, using broken fridge, having no medical certificates of workers and stinky atmosphere.

In Hafizabad, Adeel and Kashif Mart was sealed over selling expired food items and poor arrangements of cleanliness.

The PFA imposed Rs282,000 cumulative fine in districts.

Fine of 157,500 was imposed on various eateries in south region, fine of 67,000 on various shopkeepers in Gujranwala division and Rs57,500 fine was imposed on Faisalabad.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) under the supervision of its Director General Irfan Memon on Saturday carried out an operation against adulterators in Faisalabad and sealed six food factories over adulteration.

The PFA closed down snacks factories for producing unhygienic snacks with loose colours and rancid oil.

Imran Papapar Factory, Noor Muhammad Pappar Factory and Farhan Pappar Factory were sealed on Sumundari Road, Sabzi Mandi.

The PFA DG raided Khalil Mirch Chakki (mill) in Bashir Town and sealed it over contamination in turmeric and chilli.

He said the team also witnessed the violation of food labelling and poor cleanliness arrangements.

In another raid, Riaz Juice Factory was sealed on Jhang Road for preparing juice by using fungus-infested pulp.

Moreover, the PFA watchdog team shut down Lailpur Rehmannia Dairy over presence of poor quality butter and desi ghee as well as on failing to produce a record of the raw material.

The PFA DG said the PFA had discarded 11,220kg substandard pulp; 3,920kg pappadum; 160kg butter and 110kg adulterated desi ghee.