The Punjab Food Authority has sealed seven food points and punished 64 food business operators (FBOs) with heavy fine tickets while carrying out an inspection drive on breakfast points in Punjab.
On the directions of PFA Director General, food safety teams visited 328 breakfast points in a daylong operation. Teams have thoroughly inspected the food quality, hygiene issues, food safety standards and ensure the implementation of Punjab Pure Food Regulations during raids. PFA has checked 126 food points in Lahore Zone, 149 in Rawalpindi, 103 in Multan and 43 in Muzaffargarh Zone, out of 421. The authority also served warning notices for improvement to 337 food business operators.
Director General said that action was taken against violators for not using food safety kits, poor physical hygiene of workers, using blue drums to store drinking water and serving food in rusty vessels. Apart from that, newspapers and trash (waste material) were being used to cover/enclose food like bakarkhani, naan bread (tortilla), halwa puri, chakori and etc. He said that the use of newspaper for food wrapping is injurious to health for consumers. However, poor quality ghee and adulterated spices being used for the manufacturing of food dishes. Muhammad Usman said that we are giving training to food business handlers and workers in PFA Training Schools. He said that food authority is checking breakfast points to maintain the quality of food at eateries on a regular basis.