Govt, Business Community Are Partners; LCCI Backs Safe Food Initiatives

Food Safety Laws to Be Enforced Strictly, Licensing and Labeling Reforms Underway: Salma Butt

By Muhammad Shahzad, Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister’s Special Assistant for Food Safety and Consumer Protection Salma Butt has said the Punjab Government is introducing modern reforms to strengthen the province’s food safety system, ensuring high-quality food standards and enhanced consumer protection while facilitating legitimate businesses.

She made these remarks while addressing a meeting at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). The session was attended by LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol, Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh, Vice President Khurram Lodhi, Executive Committee members Rana Nisar, Asif Khan, Rana Shouban Akhtar, Mohsin Bashir, Sheikh Fayyaz, and a large number of representatives from the business community.

Salma Butt said the Punjab Government is implementing reforms including digitalization, modern monitoring systems, and the use of body cameras to enhance transparency in the operations of the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) and ensure uniform enforcement of food safety laws across the province.

She emphasized that strict action against adulterated, substandard, expired, and hazardous food products would continue without discrimination, while businesses complying with food safety regulations would receive the government’s full support.

The special assistant proposed that the Lahore Chamber and the Punjab Food Authority jointly organize seminars, awareness campaigns, and training sessions to educate traders about food safety laws, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and regulatory requirements.

Salma Butt said the Punjab Food Authority has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against food adulteration, substandard spices, poor-quality and repeatedly used cooking oil, expired food products, and other practices that endanger public health. She noted that inspections had revealed alarming levels of unsafe cooking oil in use, warning that such practices significantly increase the risk of serious diseases, including cancer.

She added that poor-quality food not only harms consumers but also places a heavy burden on the healthcare system by contributing to the growing incidence of diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic illnesses. According to her, the government is using modern technology and public awareness campaigns to help consumers make informed food choices.

Addressing concerns raised by the food industry, Salma Butt acknowledged challenges related to licensing and product labeling, saying the government is reviewing the existing system to simplify procedures, particularly for food chains operating multiple outlets and marketing products in different packaging formats.

Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said providing consumers with safe and quality food is a fundamental responsibility of every civilized society. He reaffirmed the Lahore Chamber’s support for initiatives aimed at improving food quality while encouraging honest businesses and ensuring impartial action against those involved in adulteration, hoarding, fraud, and the sale of substandard products.

He stressed that the government and the business community are partners in economic development and called for continuous consultation with traders, food manufacturers, restaurants, and retailers. He also appreciated the Punjab Government’s reforms under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in the areas of public service, health, transportation, and price control, pledging the Lahore Chamber’s support for efforts to promote safe food, fair pricing, and a transparent business environment.

Concluding the meeting, Salma Butt thanked the Lahore Chamber for its constructive engagement and reiterated the government’s commitment to working closely with the private sector to promote food safety, protect consumer rights, and strengthen a transparent and business-friendly environment across Punjab.