Various food points penalized for hygiene violations

MULTAN, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Jun, 2026) The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) intensified a crackdown on food safety violations across South Punjab, imposing heavy fines on several food businesses in Multan, Khanewal and Vehari during a series of inspections conducted on the directives of Director General Punjab Food Authority, Syed Musa Raza.

According to a PFA spokesperson, enforcement teams inspected numerous bakeries, hotels, grocery stores and other food outlets in Multan, including areas such as Sameeja Abad, 40-Footi road, Pull Shawala Dogar Market, Qasim Bela, Loharan Wali Chakki, Suraj Kund road, Mall of Multan and Peeran Ghaib road. Ten food businesses were collectively fined more than Rs200,000 for violating food safety and hygiene regulations.

The violations included the use of substandard and prohibited ingredients in food preparation, failure to use clean water, the presence of insects in ice blocks, poor personal hygiene among food handlers, the sale of loose spices and the storage of expired food products. During the operation, authorities also seized and discarded 25 kilograms of substandard food ingredients.

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In Khanewal, a sweets and bakery outlet at Adda Pull 25 Kabirwala was fined Rs20,000 for stagnant wastewater and the use of a non-food-grade brush during food preparation. A biryani outlet near College Chowk on Sir Syed road was fined Rs15,000 after inspectors found stale vegetables in the kitchen and substandard meat stored in freezers.

Meanwhile, a milk collection centre in Baqarpur, Nawan Shehr, Kabirwala was penalised Rs10,000 for failing to meet prescribed milk quality standards. A grocery store near Choki Narol on Multan road was fined Rs15,000 for stocking expired tea and biscuit products.

In Vehari district, two hotels located at Adda Quarter Burewala were collectively fined Rs25,000 for poor sanitation conditions and the use of prohibited China salt in food preparation.

Speaking on the occasion, DG PFA Syed Musa Raza, said that food adulteration and the use of substandard ingredients pose serious threats to public health and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

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1500 hrs.