AVN report
LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) imposed hefty fines on 1,100 outlets, issuing warning notices for improvement to 4,000 other food establishments during a province-wide operation targeting the reuse of cooking oil in restaurants, hotels, and other eateries last month.
The objective of the operation was to check the reuse of rancid oil and uphold food safety standards outlined in the Punjab Pure Food Regulations.
According to PFA Director General Muhammad Asim Javaid, food inspection teams examined a total of 5,679 food establishments and temporarily halted operations at 47 eateries by issuing emergency prohibition orders (EPOs) until further notice.
Javaid stated that the authority took action against food business operators found using rancid oil in food preparation. The teams also confiscated 6,300 liters of substandard and expired edible oil during various raids, which was subsequently disposed of.
Furthermore, the authority initiated legal proceedings by lodging FIRs against two food establishments for violating the PFA Act with the relevant police stations.
Javaid emphasized that the consumption of rancid oil poses significant health risks and reiterated the complete prohibition on adding fresh cooking oil to used oil for food preparation. He noted that food establishments are only permitted to sell used cooking oil to biodiesel-producing companies.
Under its zero-tolerance policy, the PFA continues to take strict action against adulteration and counterfeiting activities.
