The Punjab Food Authority on Tuesday sealed five food businesses including four sweet shops and a grinding unit for violating the rules of Punjab Pure Food Regulations 2018.
Following the directions of PFA Director General Captain (R) Muhammad Usman, PFA’s watchdogs visited a number of food points and processing units to inspect good quality, hygiene issues and food safety standards. The enforcement teams also ensured the implementation of provincial food law. The raids were conducted in the different zones of Lahore.
A team of PFA sealed Wajid Mirch Chaki (grinding unit) near Tayyaba Masjid Khokhar Village for continuing production despite of imposed emergency prohibition order on it from authority. The team also witnessed improper cleanliness arrangements during a raid. Apart from that, workers of the units did not have medical certificates. On the other hand, PFA sealed four sweet shops including Saleem Sweets in Ramgarh, Fazal Sweets (production unit) in Kacha Jail Road area, Shami Bakers in Garhi Shahu and Daniyal Bakery. All sweet and bakery shops were shut down for smoking, doing business without medical certificates, using loose colours in the preparation of sweets, unavailability of expiry dates on products, keeping food on foot level, open drains, using rusty machinery and failing to meet hygiene working environment. Moreover, newspapers were being used for wrapping purpose.
Further, provincial food regulatory body charged 11 food business operators with Rs165,000 cumulative fine and stopped the production of four food points by serving emergency prohibition orders (EPOs). The competent authority also served warning notices for improvement to 57 food joints in a daylong operation.