PFA holds special drive against city’s hospitals canteens

Lahore : Punjab Food Authority has carried out special drive against city’s hospitals canteens after knowing about the sale of unhygienic food articles and not following the food standards which set by PFA in the provincial metropolis here on Friday.

Following the DG PFA Noor ul Amin Mengal’s directions, PFA’s watchdogs have examined the different hospitals canteens, educational institutions canteens and other unhygienic eateries.

During operation, PFA has sealed two famous food premises including famous Bakers and Sweets at Kareem Market and a famous Fish Point located at Alamgir Road. Both premises were sealed over improper cleanliness arrangements, not having medical certificates of workers, non-presence of food licenses, presence of insects and other hygienic issues.

According to details, PFA has issued fine tickets of Rs 5000 on Sheikh Zahid Hospital Canteen, Rs 40000 on Gulab Devi Hospital canteens, Rs 21000 pm Ghurki Hospital canteens, Rs 20000 on Khawaja Saeed Hospital canteen, Rs 20000 to Master Chef tonight, Rs 20000 to Haji Baba Tikka, Rs 20000 on Big Bite BBQ, Rs 2000 on Malmo Foods, Rs 5000 on Gourmet Bakes and Sweets, Rs 2500 on Soft Ice, Rs 1000 on Bismillah Juice Corner, Rs 2000 on Phalwan Hotel, Rs 5000 on Kitchenette Café UVAS, Rs3000 on The Grill Spot and Rs 2000 to Tea Stall.

PFA Spokesman Qaiser Abbas said thousands of people/ patients visited hospitals on daily basis for their medical treatment and checkup and approached on local canteens something to eat but unfortunately canteens failed to meet the food standards.

He said that hospitals canteens should to keep clean the premises and kitchen/ production area as per PFA standards and provide hygienic and clean food to consumer along with providing suitable environment.

Food safety teams have served fine tickets and warning notices to dozen of eateries and food production units for not conforming to PFA instructions.