PFA imposes hefty fine on food outlets

DERA GHAZI KHAN,(INP): The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Saturday imposed heavy fines on grocery stores, milk shops, and bakeries in Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur divisions for not improving the quality of their products.

According to a spokesperson of the Food Authority South Punjab, the food safety team fined a hotel in Road Kot Udo Muzaffargarh Rs. 10,10,000 for using adulterated spices in the preparation of food. A grinding unit in Khangarh Bypass Road Muzaffargarh was fined Rs. 10,000 for low iodine content in the preparation of salt.

Three bakeries in Jampur, Khosa Colony, Rajanpur were fined Rs. 27,000 for using banned China salt in food preparation, storing food items on the ground, using undetectable colour in the preparation, and not clarifying any record of milk purchase and sale to the Malik Collection Center.

The Food Authority also fined a milk collection centre Rs. 15,000 for not having medical certificates of the workers and using lids of well-known brands. Two grocery stores in Mianwali Road Main Bazaar, Railway Road Rahim Yar Khan were fined heavily for selling expired items.

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The PFA has warned food businesses to improve the quality of their products or face further fines and closure. The authority is also urging consumers to report any food safety violations they may encounter. INP