Daily Times

LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) will establish a mega bazaar in each city of Punjab next year in collaboration with the food industry during Ramazan.

The food industry will directly set up their stalls on subsidised rates.

This was revealed by PFA Director General Noorul Amin Mengal during a visit to different Ramazan Bazaars including Ghalib Market, Shadman and Wahadat Colony on Thursday.

He appreciated the food industry for cooperating with PFA in order to set up their stalls in makeshift markets on a short notice. The PFA DG announced to distribute certificates among the food industry for establishing stalls on subsidised rates. Cash prizes and special appreciation certificates will be given to those companies which will meet the protocols and food standards of the PFA.

The DG has shown satisfaction on the arrangements which was made in Ramazan Bazaars from the food industry. He said that the remaining stalls will be functional from today (Friday). He has visited different stalls and examined the quality of products which have been put on stalls for selling. Food safety teams also conducted food tests of carbonated drinks, ketchup, beverages (sharbat) and other products. He said that citizens can get upto 20 percent discount on those stalls which are directly established by companies.

Separately, watchdogs of the PFA have carried out raids in open markets, Ramazan Bazaars and makeshift markets across Punjab. During the operations, the PFA imposed Rs 418,500 fine on 47 Food Business Operators (FBOs) and sealed two food points over failed to meet the food standards.

Following the directions of DG Food, raiding teams removed thousands of kilogrammes of substandard cooking oil and ghee of several brands. As many as 4,505 kilogramme of substandard oil and ghee was discarded in this daylong inspection. The PFA has imposed fine tickets of Rs 133,000 on eight outlets in Lahore, Rs 74,000 fine on six FBOs in Multan, Rs 9,000 fine five eateries in Rawalpindi, Rs 24,000 fine on six food points in Sargodha, Rs 3,000 fine in Faisalabad, Rs 6,000 fine in Bahawalpur, Rs 59,000 fine on eight shopkeepers in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rs 110,500 fine on 11 food points in Gujranwala over violations of provincial food laws.

A huge quantity of unhygienic and adulterated foodstuff was discardedduring an operation including 1,070kg fruits and vegetables, 247 litres substandard juice, 315 kg rancid oil, 160 packets of ice cream, 100 packets of adulterated nimko, more than 800 packs of noodles, milk and other products.

Published in Daily Times, May 25^th 2018.