The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has launched an intensified crackdown against food adulteration and unhygienic practices across several areas of Lahore, sealing eight food outlets and imposing fines totaling Rs. 700,000 on five businesses for violating food safety regulations.
According to officials, the enforcement drive was conducted in areas including Iqbal Town, Inner Lahore, Multan Road, and nearby localities under the directives of Director General Syed Musa Raza. During the operation, food safety teams inspected 11 food businesses, out of which eight were shut down due to serious hygiene concerns and repeated violations of Punjab Food Authority laws.
A PFA spokesperson stated that inspection teams confiscated and discarded large quantities of spoiled and unsafe food items during the raids. These included around 200 kilograms of rotten tomatoes, over 80 kilograms of insect-infested pulp, and more than 40 kilograms of expired and unusable food products that were deemed hazardous for public consumption.
Director General Syed Musa Raza revealed that inspectors discovered rotten tomatoes stored together with fresh stock at a ketchup and sauces manufacturing facility, creating major health risks for consumers. He said strict action was taken against businesses that repeatedly ignored official warnings, food safety guidelines, and standard operating procedures previously issued by the authority.
The inspections also uncovered poor sanitary conditions, foul-smelling kitchens, and severe insect infestations at several food points. Authorities further observed that meat and dairy products were being stored together inside dirty and fungus-affected freezers, violating proper food preservation standards.
In addition, officials found that several businesses lacked mandatory records such as medical certificates, food handler training documents, and cooking oil change logs. Expiry and production dates were also missing from multiple food items.
Syed Musa Raza reaffirmed the PFA’s commitment to ensuring safe and quality food across Punjab, warning that strict enforcement actions against violators would continue to protect public health and eliminate food adulteration from the province.
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