LAHORE: Food safety teams of the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Monday launched an inspection drive at bus terminals across the province.

The teams closed four food points, punished 87 others and issued warning notices for improvement to 656. They also discarded 150 kilogrammes of rancid oil, 100 litres expired carbonated drinks, 80kg sweets, loose adulterated ketchup and a huge quantity of gutka.

The sale of gutka is strictly prohibited in Punjab after the food authority imposed a ban on it.

PFA Director General retired Capt Muhammad Usman said the safety teams inspected 270 points in Lahore division, 297 in Rawalpindi zone, 138 in Multan and 46 shops in Muzaffargarh zone. The authority had taken action and closed down food points for failing to meet food safety standards, using rusty oil, keeping expired products in stinky freezers, rats in storage area, an abundance of cockroaches and worst condition of hygiene.

He said the teams also witnessed sale of expired carbonated drinks, gutka and germs-infested sweets/confectionery. The PFA was continuously checking eateries on GT Road and Motorway Service Areas along with Lari Adda and bus terminals on the directives of the chief minister.

The purpose of the checking exercise was to ensure the provision of safe food for passengers and commuters. He mentioned that the inspection drive would continue until the availability of quality and healthy food in Punjab.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2019