BFA Fines 14 Food Businesses, Seals Illegal Water Purification Plant in Province-Wide Inspections

QUETTA: The Balochistan Food Authority (BFA) has fined 14 food businesses, sealed an unregistered water purification plant, and issued 53 improvement notices during inspection drives conducted across Quetta, Dalbandin, Panjgur, Dera Allah Yar, Khuzdar, Pishin, Hub, and Sibi.

According to a BFA spokesperson, inspection teams visited general stores, bakeries, restaurants, fast-food outlets, naan shops, snack shops, and water purification plants to ensure compliance with food safety standards. The inspections uncovered violations related to hygiene, food safety standard operating procedures (SOPs), product labeling, storage practices, business registration, and workers’ personal hygiene.

In Quetta, inspections were carried out in Nawan Killi, Airport Road, Toghi Road, Kasi Road, Alamdar Road, Spini Road, and A-One City. During the operation, an unregistered water purification plant was sealed for failing to obtain registration, maintain proper labeling, provide required laboratory reports, and comply with hygiene regulations. Five other food businesses were fined for poor sanitation, improper storage, the presence of expired food items, and other violations.

In Pishin, the BFA, in collaboration with the district administration, conducted a joint crackdown against milk adulteration. Several dairy outlets were inspected, and four businesses were fined after adulteration was detected in milk and yogurt.

Separate enforcement actions were also carried out in Dalbandin, where restaurants, naan shops, and general stores faced legal action over poor hygiene, the sale of prohibited items, and violations of food safety regulations.

Meanwhile, the Balochistan Food Authority conducted a major operation in Hazara Town, Quetta, destroying vegetables grown on 24 acres of farmland irrigated with sewage water. The destroyed crops included tomatoes, cabbage, pumpkin, and green onions. Authorities also blocked all channels through which contaminated water was reaching the agricultural land.

The BFA spokesperson said the authority would continue taking strict action against those endangering public health and urged citizens to cooperate in promoting the availability of safe and quality food across the province.