Lahore’s thousands of food points heavily fined for using unhygienic, used cooking oil

LAHORE: In a sweeping operation across the province, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has issued warning notices to 4,000 food points and imposed hefty fines on 1,100 food outlets in its bid to tackle the use of used cooking oil, a practice that poses a significant threat to public health.

The crackdown, carried out last month, aimed at enforcing the Punjab Pure Food Regulations and ensuring compliance with food safety standards.

PFA Director General Muhammad Asim Javaid disclosed that the teams conducted inspections at 5,679 food points, uncovering alarming instances of unhygienic cooking practices.

During the operation, 47 eateries faced emergency prohibition orders (EPOs), halting their production until further notice.

Javaid highlighted that the primary focus was on combating the reuse of rancid oil, emphasising the severe health risks associated with its consumption.

The PFA teams not only issued warnings and fines but also seized a substantial quantity of substandard and expired edible oil during multiple raids.

Approximately 6,300 litres of such oil were confiscated and subsequently discarded, preventing its use in food preparation.

Taking a stern stance, the authority filed First Information Reports (FIRs) against two food points for violating the PFA Act.

The Director General stressed the detrimental impact of using rancid oil on human health, underscoring the complete prohibition on blending new cooking oil with used oil for food preparation.

This province-wide operation reflects the PFA’s commitment to upholding food safety standards and protecting the public from the dangers of unregulated cooking practices.

As the authority continues its vigilance, it sends a clear message to food business operators that compromising on hygiene will not be tolerated, with stringent actions awaiting those who flout the regulations.

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