PFA Launches Operation In Rawalpindi District

RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Nov, 2016 ) : Punjab Food Authority (PFA) Tuesday launched its operation in Rawalpindi district aimed at ensuring availability of safe and quality food for human consumption.

Punjab Food Minister, Bilal Yaseen inaugurated the launching while Director General PFA, Noor ul Ameen Mengal and Director Operations PFA, Rafia Haider were also present on the occasion. Bilal Yaseen addressing the participants informed, PFA was established under the "Punjab Food Authority Act 2011" to ensure availability of safe and healthy food for human consumption.

He said, PFA had covered the whole Lahore division besides its wings were working in Faisalabad and Gujranwala. Today its operation has been launched in Rawalpindi district. A separate office would be set up soon for the tourist spot, Murree.

The authority is also going to set up a wing in Multan. He informed, the PFA's raiding teams are facilitated with mobile lab to check the quality of food items. The minister said, in accordance with the vision and directives of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, all districts of the province would have its offices by the end of next year, he said adding, Punjab government is making all out efforts for provision of quality food items to the citizens.

DG PFA said, the citizens can play their role and use toll free number 0800-02345 or facebook page to present their proposals and complaints regarding adulteration of food items, complaints against low quality food manufacturers and unhygienic environment of kitchens of bakeries, sweet shops, hotels, restaurants and fast food outlets.

He informed, the authority is successfully running its operations in Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujranwala. Efforts are also being made to raise public awareness about quality food, he added. To a question he said, heavy fines are being imposed on poor, unhygienic food and dirty condition in restaurants, hotels and food items processing units, kitchens and outlets and on severe violation of the rules they are being sealed.

We are promoting hygienic eating habits in the province and the restaurants and hotels have been warned to improve the condition of their kitchens and food serving places, he added. A smart phone based application has also been produced to report unhealthy conditions at hotels and other food offering places which can be used by the public, he added.