PFA seals 14 food businesses

LAHORE:The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) sealed 14 food businesses and penalised dozens of eateries while carrying out a routine inspection operation in Punjab to ensure provision of healthy and adulteration-free food to the consumers.

On the directions of PFA Director General Irfan Memon, food safety teams visited hundreds of food points to examine the food quality, hygiene and food safety standards. During the massive operation, PFA dairy safety team sealed a production unit of Abid Milk in Faisalabad over contamination of banaspatti ghee and whey powders in preparation of synthetic milk. Similarly, Saqi Salt Unit was sealed over failing the sample test, not furnishing medical certificates of workers and poor arrangements of cleanliness.

Furthermore, Guldasta Mirch Grinding Unit was sealed over the addition of loose colours in preparation of red chilli powder, unavailability of labelling on packing and poor storage. PFA teams seized 2,000 litre tainted milk, 1100kg salt, 470kg chilli powder, 200kg turmeric, two grinding machines, chiller and mixer and mixer machine during raids.

In Multan division, PFA sealed MHA Food Production Unit in Multan over fake labelling, poor storage system and not taking measures to control pests. A team of PFA raided Al-Ghosia Karyana Store in Bahawalnagar and sealed it after its ghee and honey samples failed the tests.

Similarly, PFA Sargodha team shut down Iftikhar and Mansoor Fat Rendering units in different raids for extracting oil from animal waste and failing to produce the record. A dairy safety team sealed Afzal Dairy Shop on account of adulteration. A team of PFA in Bhakkar raided Shahma Masala Jaat and sealed it over contamination of non-food grade colours and chemicals in preparation of spices. The provincial food regulatory body sealed Sona Traders in Gujranwala on violation of labelling rules and for selling loose adulterated spices.