Gujrat: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) carried out a large-scale food safety inspection across Gujrat district, inspecting 51 food businesses as part of its ongoing efforts to improve food hygiene and enforce food safety standards.
The inspection campaign resulted in improvement notices, financial penalties, collection of food samples for laboratory testing, and the seizure of expired food products. Authorities also confiscated a vehicle transporting 1,500 kilograms of oil allegedly prepared from animal fat, with legal proceedings initiated against those responsible.
51 Food Businesses Inspected
The inspection drive was conducted under the directions of Deputy Director PFA Sadia Rafat.
The campaign focused on verifying compliance with:
- Food hygiene standards
- Food safety regulations
- Proper storage practices
- Product quality requirements
- Consumer safety guidelines
Officials inspected a variety of food businesses operating across the district.
During the inspections, enforcement teams identified several violations of food hygiene regulations.
Inspection Summary
| Action Taken | Details |
|---|---|
| Food Businesses Inspected | 51 |
| Improvement Notices Issued | 16 |
| Businesses Fined | 5 |
| Total Fine | Rs 99,000 |
| Food Samples Collected | 6 |
| Expired Food Destroyed | 12 kg |
Businesses found violating food safety standards were directed to address deficiencies and comply with regulatory requirements. As part of the enforcement drive, officials collected six food samples for laboratory analysis.
The testing aims to verify:
- Food quality
- Purity
- Safety standards
- Compliance with regulatory specifications
Laboratory testing is an important component of food safety monitoring and helps authorities identify products that may pose health risks.
Inspection teams also confiscated and destroyed 12 kilograms of expired food items discovered during the inspections. Removing expired products from the market helps protect consumers and supports efforts to maintain food quality standards.
In a separate enforcement operation, the Punjab Food Authority seized a vehicle transporting approximately 1,500 kilograms of oil allegedly prepared from animal fat.
According to officials:
- The consignment was confiscated.
- Legal action has been initiated.
- Further proceedings will be conducted in accordance with applicable laws.
Authorities have not yet disclosed additional details regarding the investigation. Routine food inspections help ensure that businesses comply with food safety regulations designed to protect public health.
Regular enforcement activities contribute to:
- Improved food hygiene.
- Better product quality.
- Consumer protection.
- Removal of unsafe food products.
- Greater compliance among food businesses.
Laboratory testing and inspections also help strengthen confidence in the food supply chain.
