PAKISTANIS love to eat out and though the experience may be enjoyable, the lack of proper hygiene where food preparation and handling is concerned at many eateries can result in food poisoning or worse.

In eateries across the country — from restaurants with full-fledged premises to humble push-carts — it is not uncommon to see flies buzzing over food, food being exposed to the elements and a general lack of cleanliness.

Take a look: PFA seals 10 more food outlets, eateries

Hence the recent raids targeting food outlets in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are welcome; in Lahore over the past few weeks the zealous Punjab Food Authority has either sealed or fined a number of food joints due to hygiene and cleanliness concerns.

Similarly in Peshawar, eateries and stores selling substandard fare have been penalised by the district administration.

In both cases action seems to be across the board, as restaurants in five-star hotels as well as establishments much lower down the food chain have been inspected and either sealed or fined. While earlier on it was thought that the Punjab authorities would buckle under the pressure of restaurant owners, the campaign has continued without much sustained protest from the business community.

These efforts at protecting the public from substandard and unhealthy food and drink must be applauded while the campaign should continue and be replicated in Sindh and Balochistan.

Indeed, the food and beverage industry provides livelihood to many; if only basic hygiene standards were observed the health and well-being of countless Pakistanis could be protected.

Food- and waterborne diseases are no joke: some medical experts estimate that every month, hundreds of Pakistanis end up in hospital due to gastroenteritis or food poisoning. Even if the existing food safety laws are fully implemented and restaurant owners and smaller-scale food merchants are sensitised about the importance of good hygiene, it would result in safer food being sold to consumers.

Eating out is indeed joyful; it would be even more enjoyable if diners were reassured their meal was prepared in a hygienic, sanitised environment.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2015

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