FAISALABAD: Punjab Food Minister Bilal Yasin along with Punjab Food Authority (PFA) Director General Noorul Ameen Mengal inaugurated the first office of the authority here in Muslim Town on Sargodha Road on Tuesday.

On the opening day of its working, a team, led by Mr Mengal imposed a fine of Rs200,000 on a fried chicken outlet at D Ground in Peoples Colony on charge of using expired oil. He also inspected other food outlets in the area.

Talking to reporters, Bilal Yasin said offices of the authority would also be established in Multan, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Muree in the first phase and entire province in next phases to ensure sale of hygienic food.

“The PFA will work independently without any hindrance and political pressure. Restaurants, food outlets, bakeries, sweet shops and other eateries are already being checked without any discrimination and heavy fines are being imposed on the owners for violating the Pure Food Act.”

Mr Yasin said Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had approved the project of a multi-purpose food and drug testing laboratory to ensure healthy food and genuine drugs for the citizens.

Mr Mengal said more than 20 staff members, including food scientists, would work with the PFA in Faisalabad. He said a vigilance system would be introduced to detect ‘dens’ of adulteration mafia.

Before the establishment of the PFA in Faisalabad, the food inspectors of the city district government used to inspect food outlets and take action against adulterated and unhygienic food.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2016