Latest news with #PunjabFoodAuthority
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Health
- Business Recorder
PFA seals multiple food units
LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) enforcement teams sealed multiple food units over serious violations of food safety regulations during a grand operation in different areas of Lahore including Saggian, Shahdara, Rajgarh, and Babu Sabu. The PFA food safety teams sealed three well known restaurants, a juice and sauces unit and a carbonated drinks unit. Teams also discarded 1,000 litres of adulterated milk, 180 litres of expired cold drinks and 203 pet bottles of branded beverages. Moreover, 15 food samples, including slush, ketchup and sauces were sent to the laboratory for analysis. Director General PFA Asim Javaid said teams seized and discarded a large quantity of expired and substandard cold drinks. The shop was sealed on the spot after on-the-spot testing revealed Brix levels below the permissible standard. He said a renowned restaurant on Saggian Road was sealed due to poor hygienic conditions, including broken and dirty washing areas and rusted, foul-smelling freezers used for food storage. The DG said the staff lacked food safety training and valid medical certificates. He added that despite repeated notices the management failed to rectify the violations. The DG further stated that the PFA is strictly implementing the food safety laws in line with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's vision to eradicate food adulteration and forgery from Punjab. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PFA seals 4 food units, imposes Rs1.2m fine
LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Thursday sealed four well-known food production units during a grand operation in Thokar area and lodged FIRs against the food business operators over forgery and hygiene violations. Food safety teams conducted the operation as part of the PFA's ongoing crackdown against food adulteration and forgery. Food safety teams imposed fines worth Rs1.2 million and discarded thousands of kilograms of expired and unsafe food items. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
05-07-2025
- 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
24-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab Ombudsman takes action against overpriced, unsafe food items
LAHORE: The Punjab Ombudsman's Office has taken swift action on public complaints and initiated effective measures against those involved in the sale of overpriced, substandard, and harmful food items across the province. The Office of the Punjab Ombudsman directed that the action be taken after inspections and on-site verification of facts in various cities and regions. During the operations carried out by the price control magistrates and the officials of Punjab Food Authority, the prices and quality of daily-use items such as chicken, fish, meat, milk, eggs, cooking oil, beverages, and fried foods were thoroughly examined on the directions of Punjab Ombudsman. Violations of fixed prices and the sale of low-quality products were observed at multiple locations. In response, substantial fines were imposed. So far, fines to the tune of Rs.600,000 have been imposed. Additionally, strict action was taken against hotels and restaurants for poor hygiene and the provision of unsafe food. Fines were also imposed where environmental pollution and unacceptable cleanliness conditions were found. According to the spokesperson, the objective of these actions is to ensure the availability of safe, high-quality, and fairly priced food items for citizens. The Ombudsman directed that a zero-tolerance policy be strictly enforced against overpricing, adulteration, and the sale of substandard goods. These prompt and effective measures have been appreciated at the public level, and complainants have expressed gratitude to the Ombudsman's Office for acting swiftly on their requests, resulting in the immediate resolution of public issues. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
