MURREE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Saturday imposed a fine on hotels and restaurants and sealed food outlets in Murree for unhygienic, sub-standard kitchens and other violations.

In one such raid at a hotel, the PFA team was maltreated, leading to the arrest of four members of the management.

A fine of Rs500,000 was imposed on Pearl Continental Hotel, Bhurban for not properly maintaining water filtration plant.

Gloria Jean’s at Danna on the Expressway was sealed for poor hygiene and using expired products.

Two other food outlets on The Mall were also sealed. A fine of Rs500,000 was imposed on Usmania Restaurant for keeping the kitchen dirty.

Other restaurants were also sealed and fined for offering substandard and harmful food items to customers.

Howevaer, a small juice shop owner on The Mall was appreciated and rewarded with Rs10,000 by PFA for keeping his shop neat and clean.

While talking to Dawn, PFA director general Noorul Amin Mengal said the authority has an SOP for checking hygiene and standard of food during a raid at food outlets.

He said PFA had received complaints against hotels and food outlets.

He said his department had appointed five food safety officers on permanent basis at the hill station to check the quality of food.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2018