LAHORE: Punjab Food Authority’s vigilance cell on Sunday arrested three men impersonating food inspectors who were allegedly extorting money from eateries’ owners in Gowal Mandi.

On the other hand, a PFA team headed by Director (operations) Ms Rafia Haider sealed an eatery in Green Town for selling unhygienic food, causing dehydration to 12 people who were shifted to hospital.

According to a spokesman, the vigilance cell arrested three fake officials, including gang’s head Adnan. Two other members managed their escape. Gowal Mandi police have registered a case.

A team sealed an eatery in Green Town for selling unhygienic food that caused dehydration to 12 people. Ms Haider said all the affected people were being treated at the hospital.

The authority also launched a programme to build capacity of the eateries’ owners on food handling and safety in Lahore and other mega cities of the province.

The campaign was launched at Gowal Mandi where Punjab Food Minister Bilal Yaseen, PFA DG and other officials were also present.

The PFA teams also distributed food safety kits among several vendors of the area besides educating them on food safety and handling, the spokesman said.

He said the awareness campaign was part of the PFA regulations it introduced after approval of its Board of Directors (BoD) in a meeting held recently.

Under the regulations, the PFA would request the Punjab government to allow it to establish a training school for the capacity building of those associated with the food businesses. The authority has also been given approval for the induction of nine new members in the PFA scientific panel besides introducing a social mobilisation wing and internship programme.

PFA regulations-2017 and Punjab Food Safety and Standard Regulations-2017 allow the authority to bring liquor and related drinks within its purview besides gradually phasing out the sale of loose milk in urban areas of the province within the next five years, and the sale of spices and edible oil in loose form within a period of two years.

Published in Dawn, February 20th , 2017