LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA), acting on the directions of Director General Syed Musa Raza, conducted a citywide inspection campaign in Lahore and checked 36 food outlets in various localities to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
According to a PFA spokesperson, six food businesses were fined a total of Rs130,000 for violating food safety standards, while 24 others were served improvement notices.
The operation covered parks, zoo canteens, sweet shops and roadside food stalls.
The teams also inspected makeshift sheds in Wahga village where animal fat was being stored and warned operators against using the material for oil production.
Action was taken against several outlets for failing to comply with previously issued instructions.
During inspections, food safety officials found kitchens infested with insects and operating in unhygienic conditions.
Dairy products and meat were found stored together in dirty, foul-smelling and fungus-contaminated freezers, posing serious health risks to consumers.
The inspection teams further observed the absence of edible oil replacement records, while food handlers lacked mandatory medical and training certificates.
Raw materials and prepared food items were also found without essential manufacturing and expiry date labels.
On the occasion, DG PFA Syed Musa Raza said the authority was committed to ensuring the provision of safe and quality food and eliminating food adulteration.
He stressed that strict compliance with food safety laws was mandatory for all food business operators in Punjab.
He said that individuals endangering public health through negligence and violations of food safety regulations would not be granted any leniency.
