PFA Seals Fried Fish Outlet, Fines 12 Units Rs290,000 in Citywide Crackdown

By Farzana Chaudhry — Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) sealed a well-known fried fish outlet and imposed fines totaling Rs290,000 on 12 food units during a citywide inspection campaign targeting fish sale points, officials said on Thursday. The operation was conducted on the directives of PFA Director General Muhammad Asim Javaid.

According to a spokesperson, PFA enforcement teams inspected 54 fish points, issued 25 improvement notices, and discarded more than 100 liters of substandard oil along with one maund of stale fish. The sealed outlet was found frying fish in repeatedly used oil, a serious food safety violation.

DG Muhammad Asim Javaid said several units were penalized for poor hygiene conditions and failure to maintain mandatory operational records. He stressed that mixing fresh oil with used oil or reusing the same oil poses severe health hazards. “Food businesses selling substandard or unsafe products have no place in Punjab,” he stated.

He directed all food business operators to ensure strict compliance with food safety laws, adding that continuous operations are underway across the province in line with the vision of the Chief Minister to ensure the supply of safe, high-quality food.

The DG also urged the public to support the PFA’s efforts to eliminate adulteration and report violations via the authority’s 1223 helpline.