Lahore: Punjab Food Authority (PFA) sealed three food businesses and imposed fines amounting to Rs 250,000 on two others during a crackdown against food safety violations in Shahdara, Park View, Railway Road and adjoining areas. PFA Director General Syed Musa Raza told the media on Sunday that enforcement teams carried out marathon inspections and discarded more than one maund of substandard meat and prohibited China salt during the operation. The authority sealed a breakfast restaurant, a sajji outlet and a murabba (preserves) production unit until they complied with food safety standards. A restaurant was also fined Rs 200,000 for failing to implement previously issued corrective measures and violating food safety regulations. DG Syed Musa Raza said inspection teams found open production areas, uncovered drains and unhygienic conditions at the premises.
A live frog and a large number of insects were also found in the production section, while food items were stored in fungus-infested, foul-smelling freezers. The teams also found stagnant contaminated water on damaged floors. He said food was being prepared in non-food-grade utensils, while mandatory purchase records, cooking oil replacement logs and water filtration records were unavailable.
The use of prohibited China salt in food preparation was also detected, posing a serious risk to public health. The DG urged food business operators to strictly comply with food safety regulations to ensure the provision of safe and hygienic food. He said the authority would continue taking strict legal action against all businesses violating food safety laws under its zero-tolerance policy. He also appealed to citizens to report food-related complaints through the PFA helpline 1223.