LAHORE: Punjab Food Authority Act is being amended to simplify the inspection mechanism, as the government believes if the authority continues to inspect eateries under the existing laws and international hygiene standards, the food business, particularly in Lahore, may be affected adversely.

A draft is being prepared jointly by law department and PFA which is likely to be forwarded to the chief minister for endorsement. The draft will finally be presented in the upcoming session of the Punjab Assembly for approval, Dawn has learnt.

Under the proposed amendments in the existing laws, the PFA officials concerned, including the director general, directors, deputy directors, food safety officers (FSOs) and assistant food safety officers (AFSOs) would regulate the outlets, eateries, restaurants etc under four tailor-made and simplified components prepared keeping in view the local culture and environment.

“We are working on a robust mechanism to check food (outlets). For the purpose, we are going to introduce various amendments in the PFA Act,” PFA Director General Dr Sajid Chauhan told Dawn on Tuesday.

He said the four components included staff hygiene (proper hair and nail cutting, head covering and medical fitness certificates), premises cleanliness (general cleanliness in dining hall, open area, offices etc), kitchen cleanliness (proper water and sanitation system, dish-washing, use of insecticides etc) and quality and quantity of food and its ingredients etc.

He said the amendments in the law also included training and capacity-building of FSOs and ASFOs with regard to behavior, communication etc. “At present we are inspecting eateries under the prevailing laws and the international food standards as being observed in developed countries like US and UK. The government is of the view that since our environment and culture is different from the developed nations, we must go for simplifying our rules, otherwise the prevailing practice will affect the food business in the province,” he explained.

He said the amendments would further empower the PFA field teams regarding initiation of legal action against those flouting the food safety rules and regulations. The amendments would also empower the staff to classify restaurants in A, B, C and D categories, prepare marks sheet (total 100 marks) of the outlets and rate them according to their condition observed at the time of inspection and in the light of lab test report of the food sample, the DG said.

He said the PFA was also set to hold awareness-raising seminars on food safety guidelines for the restaurants’ managers and owners soon after Eid, on their request.

“We don’t claim to bring a sea change in the food safety mechanism in Lahore and rest of Punjab, but we are sure we will finally succeed in improving the public health,” Mr Chauhan said.

Published in Dawn ,July 15th, 2015

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