LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) claimed on Wednesday to have foiled an attempt to supply 8,651kg of dead chicken in Lahore while taking timely action against the supplier.

PFA Director General Raja Jahangir Anwar said the Punjab police registered a case against supplier Asif over violations of the Punjab Pure Food Regulations on the complaint of the authority.

He said the food safety team on a tip-off set up a picket on Sheikhupura Road and caught a truck loaded with more than 215.37 maunds of dead chicken; meanwhile, the supplier failed to present the necessary record to the officials at the spot.

He said the recovered stuff was badly affected by various diseases including lungs and eyes.

He added that the consumption of dead chickens causes various diseases of stomach, liver and intestines.

Moreover, there was no branding on the vehicle regarding the transportation of dead chickens, he said.

Raja Jahangir said the provincial food regulatory body is taking all possible measures to ensure the provision of healthy, safe and hygienic meat in the market.

He warned that meat shops should ensure the sale of healthy chicken meat otherwise lawbreakers would be dealt with strictly. Further, he advised people to buy fresh meat rather than chicken slaughtered earlier.

He appealed to the masses to inform PFA on its Facebook page and helpline number 1223 in case of the sale of substandard food.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2023