Balochistan Food Authority fines 48 food outlets, seals bakery unit in province-wide crackdown

QUETTA (Kuwait News Desk) — The Balochistan Food Authority (BFA) has launched a province-wide grand operation against the production and sale of substandard and unsafe food items on the special instructions of Provincial Minister and BFA Chairman Haji Noor Muhammad Dummar.

During special inspection drives carried out in Duki, Khuzdar, Dera Allah Yar, Kharan, and Quetta, food safety teams inspected various baking units, general stores, spice shops, naan shops, ice cream manufacturing units, and street food outlets.

According to the BFA, fines were imposed on 48 food businesses, while 71 food business operators were issued improvement notices for hygiene and safety violations. In addition, one bakery unit was sealed on the spot due to poor sanitation, unsafe food handling, and extremely unhygienic production conditions.

Inspection teams also conducted operations in several commercial areas of Quetta, including Sariab Road, Prince Road, Masjid Road, Samungli Road, Taxi Stand, Nawankilli, and Jatak Stop.

During the crackdown, authorities seized 295 bottles of counterfeit beverages falsely marketed under well-known brands such as Rooh Afza and Jam-e-Shireen. Legal proceedings have reportedly been initiated against the shopkeepers involved.

Officials further recovered expired food items, banned Chinese salt, non-food-grade colors, and substandard ingredients made with harmful chemicals from multiple outlets. The confiscated items were destroyed on site.

Food safety teams also inspected roadside food vendors selling pakoras, samosas, and other open food items. Strict action was taken against vendors found reusing contaminated cooking oil and violating basic hygiene standards.

According to a BFA spokesperson, several unlicensed food businesses were issued final warnings and fined, while others were directed to obtain proper licenses and improve sanitation systems in line with international standards.

The authority reiterated that ensuring safe, quality, and healthy food for the public remains its top priority and said there would be no compromise on public health. Citizens were also urged to report the sale of suspicious or unsafe food items so that timely action could be taken against those responsible.