Balochistan Food Authority Crackdown in Quetta and Dera Murad Jamali: 9 Food Units Fined, 8 Issued Improvement Notices, Warehouse and Juice Manufacturing Unit Sealed

Quetta (Qudrat Daily) – In order to completely eliminate substandard and low-quality food and ensure the provision of safe food to the public, operations by the Balochistan Food Authority are ongoing across the province. Under the directives of the Provincial Minister and Chairman of the Balochistan Food Authority, actions were taken against various food businesses in Quetta and Dera Murad Jamali, during which a total of 9 units were fined, 8 were issued improvement notices, while one warehouse and one juice manufacturing unit were sealed.

According to the BFA spokesperson, food safety teams of the Balochistan Food Authority inspected various baking units, hotels, departmental stores, juice centers, and other food points in the areas of Quetta’s Spiny Road, CPEC Road, and Railway Society. During this, two units were sealed for serious violations, while one food point was fined.

During the operation, the sealed juice manufacturing unit was found to be operating without product registration and laboratory reports, with poor storage conditions, the presence of a washroom in the processing area, and workers working without protective clothing, upon which immediate action was taken.

Similarly, one warehouse was sealed for violations including the unavailability of laboratory reports and traceability records for products, as well as double punching of manufacturing and expiry dates on juices.

Furthermore, during the inspection of a food corner, action was also taken for poor hygiene, substandard storage, use of rancid oil, inadequate refrigeration, the absence of an effective temperature control system, and the lack of a BFA license.

Director General of the Balochistan Food Authority, Habibullah Khan, said in this regard that unregistered products, poor hygiene, unsafe storage, and violations of food safety principles are unacceptable under any circumstances. Providing safe and quality food to the public is the top priority of the Balochistan Food Authority, and to achieve this objective, the implementation of laws and the prescribed SOPs of the BFA is being ensured.

He urged food business operators to strictly comply with all legal requirements regarding hygiene principles, cleanliness, proper storage, temperature control, and product registration.

The DG BFA made it clear that indiscriminate actions will continue against those violating food safety laws and BFA SOPs so that the provision of quality, safe, and healthy food to the public can be ensured.