LAHORE: Punjab Food Authority (PFA) enforcement teams inspected 3,209 breakfast points across the province, sealing two outlets and registering one case over violations of food safety protocols, besides imposing fines exceeding Rs13.6 million on food business operators.

The teams also discarded over 200 litres of substandard oil and expired or prohibited food items during the operation, says a PFA handout on Wednesday.

PFA Director General (DG) says 2,183 breakfast points were served improvement notices for minor violations, while those failing to comply with the food safety protocols despite repeated warnings were heavily fined.

He says that during the inspections, the PFA teams found poor storage conditions, dirty freezers, rusty utensils, pest infestations, expired meat and rotten vegetables stored in fungus-infested freezers.

The DG says that consumption of the food prepared with substandard and expired ingredients poses serious health risks to the consumers.

All food points are being continuously inspected to eliminate the items harmful to public health, he says, adding that as per Punjab chief minister’s directions, all stages – from food preparation to distribution – are being aligned with international standards.

He further says that the PFA is taking consistent measures to eradicate the adulteration and forgery mafia from Punjab, seeking public support in this regard.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2025