PFA seals 6 food units, discards 500kg chicken and meat

Lahore:Enforcement teams of Punjab Food Authority, on Monday raided eight food units in different areas of the city and sealed six units, discarded 500kg of chicken cuts, thigh pieces, drumsticks and mixed meat, and imposed fines of Rs 400,000 on three food businesses. Dairy units in Samanabad, Iqbal Town and Marghzar, along with a renowned cash-and-carry store in Ali Town, were sealed, while a cold store on Raiwind Road and a renowned bakery in Nishter were heavily fined. Food safety team found expired chicken, fish, prawns, minced meat and cheese at the cold store. Expired chicken was also being stored alongside fresh meat, in violation of food safety regulations. PFA Director General Raja Mansoor Ahmad said that no separate area had been designated for storing expired products pending disposal, as required under food safety regulations. He said that employees’ medical certificates were incomplete and mandatory food safety training certificates were not available. He said that adequate measures to prevent i
nsect infestation were missing at the inspected units. Poor storage arrangements, damaged floors and foul-smelling conditions were also observed, he added. He directed food business operators to ensure strict compliance with food safety laws, warning that violations would result in strict enforcement action. He further stated that there was no room in Punjab for those who put public health at risk.