Lahore: Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab (SACM) for Food Safety and Consumer Protection Salma Butt said on Thursday that Punjab Government is introducing modern reforms in the food safety system to ensure food quality and consumer protection.
In a meeting with business community here at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), she said that work is underway on various initiatives, including digitalization, modern monitoring systems, and body cameras, to increase transparency in the operations of the Punjab Food Authority and ensure uniform enforcement of the law. She added that action against substandard, adulterated, and harmful food products will continue without discrimination, while businesses that comply with the law will be fully encouraged.
She said the government’s commitment to working with the business community to promote an environment where consumers have access to safe food and businesses can also thrive.
LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol, Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh, Vice President Khurram Lodhi, Executive Committee members along with a large number of businessmen attended the meeting.
Saigol said that providing consumers with quality and safe food products is a fundamental responsibility of every civilized society. Lahore Chamber has always supported initiatives that ensure the public receives better and quality products. He said that honest traders and industrialists should be encouraged, while those involved in adulteration, hoarding, fraud, and the sale of substandard products should face impartial action.
He emphasized that the government and business community are partners and that, alongside enforcing regulations, it is essential to take traders into confidence, listen to their concerns, and adopt transparent and simple procedures. He expressed hope that consultation with trade organizations, the food industry, restaurants, and the retail sector would be further strengthened, while awareness campaigns, training programs, and clear SOPs would help improve the business environment. He praised the initiatives undertaken under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in public service, price control, health, transportation, and other sectors, and said that the Lahore Chamber would stand with the government in every effort aimed at providing quality food, fair prices, and a transparent business environment.
In her address, Salma Butt said that before the meeting she had assumed that the business community might express concerns regarding food safety measures; however, the positive response from the Lahore Chamber encouraged her. She said that food safety measures are not intended to harm businesses but to ensure the protection of citizens’ health and lives. She proposed that the Lahore Chamber and the Punjab Food Authority jointly organize seminars and awareness sessions so that the business community can gain complete understanding of the relevant laws and SOPs.
She said that the Punjab Food Authority has adopted a zero-tolerance policy on several key issues, including the use of adulterated food and ingredients, substandard spices, poor-quality and repeatedly used cooking oil, the sale of expired products, and other factors harmful to health. She added that inspections of cooking oil used at various locations have produced alarming results. Such oil poses serious risks to human health and may increase the chances of various diseases, particularly cancer.
Salma Butt said that the burden of substandard food is not limited to consumers alone but also affects the entire healthcare system. She said that one of the major reasons for the increase in diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diseases is poor-quality food, which places additional pressure on the health sector. She added that the government is working on public awareness initiatives through the use of modern technology and various reform measures so that citizens can know the quality of the food they consume.
She further said that the government is aware of certain licensing and labeling issues faced by the food industry and that the relevant system is being reviewed to address them. She said that consideration is being given to simplifying and improving procedures for food chains with multiple branches and products available in various packaging formats so that the business community does not face unnecessary difficulties. She reiterated that the government stands with all businesses that comply with the law, provide quality food, and prioritize consumer health.
Thanking the Lahore Chamber for its cooperation and positive approach, she said that the government and the private sector would continue to work together to promote safe food and a transparent business environment across Punjab.