Latest news with #AsimJavaid
Business Recorder
7 days ago
- Health
- Business Recorder
Inspections during Ashura: PFA seals 24 beverage units, discards substandard drinks
LAHORE: Special enforcement teams of the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) sealed 24 beverage units and discarded thousands of litres of unsafe drinks during a large scale inspection drive launched in connection with Ashura. The inspection campaign was carried out to ensure the provision of safe beverages and water at sabeels across the province. Food safety teams inspected 720 beverage, water and juice units. A total of 24 units were sealed over violations of food safety laws while 216 units were fined Rs5.419 million. Moreover, 228 units were issued improvement notices due to unhygienic practices. DG PFA Asim Javaid said that food safety teams discarded 7,400 litres of juice and beverages over 1,000 litres of water and more than 80kg of expired chemical ingredients. These included prohibited and expired substances being used in drinks meant for sabeels. He said teams found serious violations such as poor hygiene conditions, insect infestation and lack of medical certificates of food handlers. He added that mixtures prepared with banned and expired ingredients were also recovered and discarded on the sp Director general further stated that inspections are being carried out in two shifts daily by specially deployed Muharram food safety teams. He said that checking of sabeels and langar points near majalis and roadside camps is underway, along with public awareness efforts. He has requested the public to play its role in ensuring safe food by making informed choices and reporting violations on PFA helpline 1223. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
02-07-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
PFA imposes fine on nine food outlets
LAHORE: Enforcement safety teams of the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Tuesday imposed collective fine of Rs 930,000 on nine food outlets on grounds of various violations of food safety standards. The teams conducted grand operations in different areas of Lahore, including Wahdat Road, Samanabad and Sabzazar and inspected 19 well-known food chain outlets. DG PFA Asim Javaid said that a large quantity of expired food items, used oil, stale ingredients and unhygienic prepared food was immediately discarded on the spot. He said poor kitchen hygiene, improper storage, dirty freezers, rusty utensils and foul-smelling environments were among the most common violations observed. He stated that food safety teams also found missing employee medical reports and incomplete food safety records. Detailed improvement notices were issued to all violators for necessary corrective measures. DG Asim Javaid further said that food prepared with substandard ingredients poses a serious threat to public health. He reiterated that strict monitoring is being ensured from food preparation to delivery, and the authority has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against any kind of food-related fraud. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
07-06-2025
- Business Recorder
PFA launches crackdown ahead of Eid
LAHORE: An enforcement team of the Punjab Food Authority on Friday carried out a grand operation against the adulteration mafia in the Karol Ghati area and seized a large quantity of counterfeit cold drinks. The food safety teams discarded 180 litres of fake cold drinks and confiscated prohibited substances being used to manufacture spurious beverages. An FIR has been lodged against the unit. Director General Asim Javaid said that the food safety team recovered 3,900 ready-to-sell fake cold drink bottles, 250kg sweetener, 4,000 empty bottles, 60kg bottle caps, 200kg labels, chemicals, filling machines, gas cylinders, and drums. In a separate action, the teams inspected 14 food points near Multan Road, Daewoo and Jinnah Terminals. Three food outlets were fined a total of Rs245,000 for violations of food safety regulations. The DG said that banned and hazardous chemicals were being used to replicate well-known cold drink brands. All stock prepared for Eid supply was destroyed. He added that the violators failed to produce valid medical and training certificates for workers, while the premises were found unhygienic and insect-infested. He warned that consumption of fake beverages could cause severe stomach, liver, and kidney issues. He said the PFA has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against hazardous and substandard food products. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
06-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Counterfeit cold drinks seized
Punjab Food Authority (PFA) launched a crackdown on adulterates to ensure the safety of food and beverages during Eid. Under the supervision of Director General Asim Javaid, the operation led to the seizure and destruction of a massive quantity of counterfeit cold drinks and banned food substances, as well as the registration of a criminal case against those involved. The operation resulted in the confiscation of 180 litres of fake cold drinks and significant amounts of harmful raw materials used in their production. Among the items seized were 250kg artificial sweeteners, Over 3,900 bottles of ready-to-sell counterfeit cold drinks, 4,000 empty bottles, 60kg fake bottle caps, 200kg counterfeit labels, chemicals, filling machines, gas cylinders, and storage drums.
