Lahore: Punjab Food Authority (PFA) Director General Raja Mansoor Ahmed on Sunday raided a warehouse of a renowned store in the Attari area of Nishtar Town, sealing the unit and destroying 5.5 tonnes of expired food items worth Rs 20 million.
According to a PFA spokesperson, the Director General also imposed a heavy fine of Rs 1 million on the administration during the raid.
During the grand operation, the PFA officials disposed of 5,500 kilograms of expired chia seeds, chana papri, corn flour, and other food items, along with 400 kg of unhygienic meat. The strict action was taken after a huge quantity of expired and substandard food products was found being prepared for re-supply to consumers in the market.
The detailed inspection revealed the absence of essential records, supply details, and mandatory documents at the facility. The labels affixed to the food products had not been approved by the authority, while insects and rodent droppings were found on the storage racks.
The raiding team further observed that previous instructions issued to the unit’s administration regarding hygiene and food safety had not been complied with. Furthermore, the mandatory medical and training certificates of the food handlers were unavailable.
The warehouse was reportedly supplying food items across the country through online orders. Following the severe violations of the Punjab Pure Food Regulations, the DG PFA imposed the Rs 1 million fine and ordered the immediate closure of the unit.
Speaking on the occasion, DG Raja Mansoor Ahmed categorically stated that food adulteration and fraud would not be tolerated under any circumstances. He said that on the special directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the PFA is fully committed to completely eliminating the menace of adulteration from the province.
“All avenues of food fraud will be closed across the province and those responsible will be brought to justice,” he said.
