The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Friday shut down six eateries and stopped the production of 13 food businesses by serving emergency prohibition orders in the provincial metropolis. The food safety teams also collected six food samples for laboratory tests.
The action was taken against food business operators (violators) during a food inspection drive, held in different zones of Lahore. The drive was carried out on the directions of the PFA Director Captain (R) Muhammad Usman. The teams conducted raids on hundreds of fast food points, general store, milk shops and other food businesses to ensure the implementation of the provincial food regulations.
During the drive, PFA sealed a famous food point (Mama Kabab Frosh) located at Temple Road, over the worst condition of hygiene, poor storage system and stinky environment. In another raid, food safety team once again closed down Sakhi Pak Dairy for illegally de-sealing a shop and for interfering in the functioning of the PFA. A team of food authority also shut down Imran Beef Shop for failing to produce a record, an abundance of insects and improper cleanliness arrangements. Moreover, PFA sealed three other food points in a daylong drive.
Similarly, the PFA issued fine tickets of Rs40,000 and Rs20,000 to Sweet Tooth at MM Alam Road and Namak Family Restaurant in Gulbarg respectively. Fine was imposed for not following food labeling law, using rusty machinery and poor hygienic working environment. The teams also served warning notices for improvement to 53 food outlets.
Director General said that the utmost priority of PFA is to ensure the provision of healthy and safe food for the public in Punjab. He said that anyone can inform PFA about food-related issues on its Facebook Page and Toll-Free number 1223. He further that PFA is fully active and taking action vigorously against FBOs and adulterators for rooting out the menace of adulteration from Punjab.