LAHORE: As part of its rigorous inspection regime, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) closed down four bakeries, imposing hefty fines totaling Rs 200,000 on two food business operators in different areas of Lahore.
PFA’s food safety teams inspected numerous bakeries in Sundar Industrial Estate, Bhobatian, Jallo Park, and along Defence Road.
In addition to closures and fines, the PFA issued warning notices to four bakeries, highlighting areas for improvement. During the inspections, substandard food items were seized, including inferior quality milk solids, subpar food flavors, 40kg of low-grade flour, and over 20kg of prohibited food ingredients. Furthermore, the PFA confiscated 5,000 units of gum base, 720kg of fruit pulp, and 150 liters of essence (Arq), remarked Muhammad Asim.
The objective behind these inspections was to uphold stringent food safety standards and maintain quality parameters as prescribed in the Punjab Pure Food Regulations, DG PFA Muhammad Asim Javaid said.
Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, Mr Asim said emergency prohibition orders (EPOs) were swiftly issued, halting the operations of four bakeries and cake shops. The issuance of EPOs was warranted due to various violations, including the use of expired raw materials, disregard for previous directives from the authority, improper storage leading to contaminated food, presence of pests, and gross violations of hygiene standards.
The inspection also uncovered alarming practices such as the use of contaminated flour, expired pulp, and gum base in cake preparation. Muhammad Asim further highlighted the reckless storage of fungus-infested desi clarified butter and milk solids in non-food grade containers, posing serious health risks.
The PFA crackdown is aimed at ensuring public health, upholding food safety standards across the province, and safeguarding consumers from potential health hazards associated with unhygienic food practices. -PR
