Balochistan Food Authority Seals 10 Illegal Water Plants in Quetta, Samples Sent for Testing

QUETTA: The Balochistan Food Authority (BFA) has intensified its crackdown against unregistered and substandard bottled water suppliers, sealing 10 more illegal water plants in different areas of the city.
According to a BFA spokesperson, food safety teams conducted operations in Sariab, Eastern Bypass, Jatak Stop, Sarki Road, Patel Road, Shawak Shah Road, Hazara Town, Isa Nagri, Killi Shabo, and Chashma Achozai as part of a special campaign.
During the inspections, authorities also collected multiple samples of bottled water for laboratory analysis. At one location, around 100 cartons of substandard bottled water were seized.
Officials reported several serious violations, including lack of product registration and BFA licensing, poor hygiene conditions, fake labeling, absence of proper waste management systems, and non-availability of cleaning-in-place (CIP) and critical control points (CCPs). Additionally, workers were found without personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical records.
In some facilities, inspectors observed open washrooms and inadequate pest control arrangements, raising further concerns over public health risks.
Director General BFA, Habibullah Khan, stated that the authority’s actions are aimed at reforming food production units and ensuring safe and quality food for the public. He emphasized that obtaining product registration and a valid license from the BFA is mandatory for the production and sale of bottled or mineral water.
He urged water plant owners and all food business operators to strictly follow BFA standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure compliance with the law and maintain transparency in their operations.