ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Capital Territory administration’s food department imposed Rs127,500 in fines during a week of raids and inspections across the city.

Food and health teams carried out a total of 31 inspections, during which they fined outlets including hotels, caterers and restaurants for poor sanitary conditions and the use of unhygienic and damaged utensils.

An official from the ICT food department told this agency that food outlets, restaurants and fruit shops in G-8 Markaz were inspected by the deputy director food and fined Rs88,000 for violating the pure food rules.

A tandoor was also sealed for selling naan for Rs20 instead of the official rate of Rs10.

A total of 21 food outlets in Power Market and Umer Market were also raided by the food department and Rs39,500 in fines were imposed. Four shop owners were issued warnings by the deputy director food, he said.

The official said it has been four days since the department began its raids ahead of Ashura, and many caterers are also being checked.

Earlier on Friday, the Hanif Rajput Caterers in G-8 were fined Rs15,000 and sealed due to poor hygiene and kitchen conditions, he added.

Factories that produce mineral water were also visited by the Industrial Area assistant commissioner in I-9 on directions from the chief and deputy chief commissioners to check the quality of drinking water, the hygienic conditions of the plants and staff, their water sources and their legal status to run a factory, he said.

Samples from seven factories have been collected that will be sent to the National Institute of Health for testing. He said three factories were sealed as the management was unable to produce any document on the spot.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2018