LAHORE: Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Wednesday started a crackdown against adulterated honey processors after the expiry of the notice period deadline in Punjab.
During the crackdown, the PFA had imposed heavy fines on four honey manufacturers for not flowing PFA’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding food.
In Lahore, the crackdown was carried out under the supervision of PFA Director General Noorul Amin Mengal, along with food safety officers. The PFA circulated a notice to all honey manufactures under PFA Act 2011 section 2(b) to adopt SOPs for honey processing by November 9.
Per details, PFA checked 17 honey processing companies in different cities of Punjab, out of which four were penalised and 13 were issued warning notices. A fine was imposed on the owners for using blue chemical drums, improper cleanliness arrangements and over practice of non-standard packing material.
The director general said that PFA had imposed fine tickets of Rs 0.5 million on famous honey processors in Kot Lakhpat area over presence of insects in packing area. He said that after completion of the notice period, PFA had taken action against them throughout the province. He said that consumption of honey had increased in winter season and some adulterators had started selling substandard honey to fool people and increase their sales. The director general further said that in the first phase of the crackdown, the authority was just issuing fine tickets, adding that during the next phase the PFA would seal the premises in case of violations. He also said that PFA would not compromise on the quality of the honey that was being manufactured in various processing units throughout the province.
On the hand, PFA had also imposed a fine of Rs 49,500 on 13 eateries in Lahore and Kasur districts over improper cleanliness arrangements and for not following PFA’s rules and regulations during raid. PFA have also served warning notices to dozens of food points and production units for not conforming with PFA instructions.