LAHORE: The Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department and Punjab Food Authority (PFA) have launched three new digital applications to modernise food inspections and strengthen governance.

Special Assistant to Chief Minister Salma Butt, accompanied by Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department Dr Kiran Khurshid and PFA Director General Raja Mansoor Ahmad inaugurated the digital platforms.

The apps include the Star Rating Application, Automated Inspection Scheduling Application and Consumer Protection Application.

Ms Butt said the Star Rating Programme would promote healthy competition within the food industry by ensuring transparent and merit-based grading of food businesses.

She said a modern algorithm will automatically evaluate food businesses under the Food Safety Management System, significantly reducing human intervention and promoting digitalisation.

She said the Automated Inspection Scheduling Application will make the food inspection system completely digital and transparent.

More than 40,000 inspections have already been conducted through the digital system, while over 1,200 surprise inspections are being carried out daily across Punjab.

The special assistant to CM stated that Consumer Protection Application would provide citizens with a direct and effective channel to connect with authority. Consumers will be able to submit complaints and suggestions directly to the relevant authorities, ensuring prompt action and improved public service delivery.

She said the adoption of advanced digital technologies will make the provision of safe food more efficient, transparent and reliable.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026