PFA would impose heavy fine on the sale of substandard food

Lahore : Punjab Food Authority Board has accorded approval to amend different laws for ensuring the standard of edible items and harmonizing the laws with modern age demands under the vision of Safe Food Healthy Punjab throughout the province.

Chairman Punjab Food Authority Justice (R) Amir Raza presided over 20^th meeting of Punjab Food Authority. DG Punjab Food Authority  Noor ul Amin Mengal, Additional Secretary Food Syeda Malika, Member Provincial Assembly Abdul Rauf Mughal, Muhammad Waheed Gul and other members attended the meeting.

The meeting accorded approval to set new standards for product registration and entrusted Punjab Food Authority with the powers of closing any production and warehouse emergently, disposing poor quality eatables and lifting all supply of poor quality products back from the market. Punjab Food Authority Board also gave approval to bring a number of eatable items under the scope of Punjab Food Authority as were not under its scope earlier.

Punjab Food Authority Board also accorded approval to increase fine on violation of Food Act according to which, Assistant Food Safety Officer will be able to impose a fine of Rs. 25000, Food Safety Officer one lakh rupees, Deputy Director two lakh rupees while Director Operations will impose a fine of five lakh rupees.

The project of issuing E-licensing was also approved for facilitating Food Operators in receiving food license. The meeting also agreed to launch public awareness campaign regarding safe food and making safe house for PF Complex and vigilance cell.

The meeting also gave approval to set up social mobilizing wing for the participation of consumers in Safe Food and Healthy Punjab vision and internship programme for students.

The board meeting approved establishment of a training school for the training of persons associated with food industry, including nice new members in scientific panel besides approving the post of Additional Director General.

The meeting also agreed to request Punjab government to give approval to increasing the amount of fine from 10 lakh rupees to one crore rupees on violation of Food Act and declaring adulteration as a non-bail able offence.