LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority sealed on Tuesday nine food points over multiple violations of regulations and imposed a Rs257,000 fine on them.

PFA teams visited 128 messes and cafeterias of private and public universities in a daylong operation in Lahore and sealed eight cafeterias, including Punjab University Girls’ Hostel No 5 canteen, bakers and a snack bar.

The teams also raided PU’s student food corner and the main cafeteria of Comsats University.

The PFA sealed canteens and penalized food business operators for poor sanitation conditions, expired produces, fake ketchup and carbonated drinks. Teams also found rancid oil which was being used for frying chicken and other dishes. Several cafeterias were doing businesses without getting medical certificates from the PFA. The PFA is doing work on legislation regarding contractual terms, under which only registered would be allowed to operate.

Also, food safety teams also closed two drink corners in Dera Ghazi Khan and one in Duniyapur for selling prohibited gutka and expired products, and running business without medical certificates.

Another team closed Cambridge Science College’s canteen for selling carbonated drinks and for presence of insects and improper cleanliness arrangements.

The PFA penalised 16 food business operators with a cumulative fine of Rs116,800 in the south region I. Enforcement teams also imposed a Rs140,200 fine altogether on 11 eateries in DG Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, and its surrounding areas.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2018