Balochistan Food Authority Continues Crackdown on Substandard Food; 20 Units Fined, Spice Unit Sealed in Quetta
QUETTA: The Balochistan Food Authority (BFA) has continued its province-wide crackdown against substandard and unsafe food products on the directives of Provincial Minister and BFA Chairman Haji Noor Muhammad Dummar.
Food safety teams conducted inspections in Quetta, Hub, Harmai Pishin, Kolpur and other areas, imposing fines on a total of 20 food outlets and units. Several establishments were issued corrective notices, while a spice manufacturing unit was sealed for producing substandard products.
According to a BFA spokesperson, inspections in the Eastern Bypass and Jatak Stop areas of Quetta found poor hygiene, use of non-food-grade colours, banned Chinese salt, improper storage, inadequate pest-control measures and incomplete protective clothing. A spice unit was sealed, while the owner of a nimko unit was fined.
During inspections of 19 food establishments on Khudaidad Road and Kasi Road, three units were fined over poor hygiene, improper waste management, unsuitable storage and violations related to personal protective equipment (PPE), while six establishments were issued corrective notices.
Similarly, five units in Jinnah Town and Western Bypass were fined for poor hygiene, expired essences, pest issues, unsafe storage and inadequate protective measures.
On Airport Road, three units were fined for selling coloured products and underweight naan, while seven establishments were issued corrective notices. The weight of naan was found to be 236, 244 and 245 grams, against the prescribed weight of 310 grams.
In Hub city, two spice shops were fined for using substandard colours and banned Chinese salt, while other establishments were issued corrective instructions.
During inspections of 23 food establishments in Harmai Pishin, four units were fined for selling expired products and violating food safety regulations. Several other outlets were issued corrective notices.
In Kolpur, BFA officials took action against the use of banned Chinese salt, gutka and products without manufacturing or expiry dates. Two units were fined and four establishments were issued corrective notices. One shopkeeper was also fined for operating without a food business licence.
The Balochistan Food Authority spokesperson said ensuring the availability of safe food remains the authority’s top priority. He added that action against those endangering public health and violating food safety laws would be further intensified.
