LAHORE: Management of a local restaurant in Samanabad reportedly put up resistance on Monday when a team of the Punjab Food Authority arrived there to inspect its food, kitchen, cleanliness and hygiene standards.

According to PFA Director Ms Ayesha Mumtaz, when she and Food Safety Officer (FSO) Ms Saba Nasir arrived at the Sheikhu Restaurant, at the first roundabout of Samanabad, along with other officials, its owner and staff tried to stop them forcibly from conducting inspection.

“When we reached there, the owner and workers offered strong resistance,” she said. “You will have to shoot us first before entering our restaurant, as we will never allow the inspection,” Ms Mumtaz quoted the owner and workers as having warned her on the spot.

She said despite loud arguments and angry gestures of the restaurant owner and staff, the police officials accompanying the team seemed reluctant to take action against them.

However, she said, the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) concerned immediately reached the spot after the PAF team contacted him.

“Only then (after the DSP’s arrival) we could enter the restaurant. During inspection, we found the conditions so pathetic; all the four freezers of the restaurant were dirty, posing serious public health threat. Similarly, the drainage system was also improper,” she said, adding there was no option but to seal the restaurant.

She said that she also supervised inspections in Purani Anarkali Food Street, where she sealed Yasir Broast and Anarkali Restaurant for pathetic food handling and inadequate personal hygiene.

She said the FRI-Chicks’ Dubai Chowk branch (Iqbal Town) was also sealed.

“We also sealed Baghdadi Restaurant in Shadman, as the roti was being backed there in a tandoor just in front of a dirty toilet,” she added.

Meanwhile, Gulberg Town FSO Ms Farah Athar also sealed pizza section of Gourmet Bakers and Sweets at Hussain Chowk.

“We sealed this section after we witnessed food commodities placed in a toilet,” she added.

Meanwhile, the PFA Ravi Town team sealed Bhai Jan Sweets and Nirala Biryani and imposed heavy fine on the owner of Qadeemi Chanay near Lahore Gate.

According to a press release, PFA Shalimar Town team sealed Lahore Broast in Shadbagh and Iqbal Town team sealed Silver Spoon Restaurant in Johar Town. It also imposed heavy fine on Fri Chicks, Liaqat Chowk (Sabzazar) branch.

Similarly, Nishtar Town team sealed Malik Boota Dairy at Chungi Amarsadhu, whereas the PFA officials imposed fine on Rafique Sweets. The PFA teams also imposed fines on Data Ali Hajveri Restaurant, Baryani House and Subway Sandwiches and salad at Jail Road.

The teams also discarded 1,160 litres of adulterated milk at various entry/exit points of the city.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2015

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