The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has checked as many as 1,229 food points, shut down three eateries and penalized 105 food business operators (FBOs) with a heavy fine on Eid Days. The teams have taken action against them owing to violate the rules of the provincial food regulations.
PFA Director General retired Captain Muhammad Usman said that the PFA’s watchdogs have visited 384 food points in Lahore Zone, 529 in Rawalpindi Zone, 172 in Multan Zone and 144 eateries in Muzaffargarh Zone. The purpose of the inspection was ensuring the provision of healthy and safe food for the public in the market as per the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.
The food safety teams also served 1,003 warning notices for bringing about improvement in their food businesses and applied for food license of 46 shopkeepers who were running their business without getting a permit from the competent authority. He further said that they have not only checked restaurants and hotels but also visited food joints in shopping malls and parks because thousands of people thronged to recreational places for a picnic, outing and fun on such occasions. Meanwhile, DG has shown satisfaction on the quality of food and hygiene arrangements which ensured by FBOs. He said that health protection is the utmost priority of PFA on any festival like ordinary days which could be ensured through proper checking of food, kitchen, dining area and warehouse.
The director general added that they have received fruitful results with the help of the operation teams which remained in the field in three shifts on the eve of Eid. He has appreciated teams for effectively performing all responsibilities. He said that the Punjab Food Authority is utilizing all available resources and efforts in order to get the confidence of the public. He said that they took indiscriminate action against violators as per the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.