Balochistan Food Authority Launches Crackdown: Fines Imposed on 33 Food Outlets Over Adulteration and Poor Hygiene
Quetta – The Balochistan Food Authority (BFA) has intensified its province-wide operations to ensure the provision of safe and hygienic food to the public, resulting in the sealing of one water plant, fines on 33 food businesses, and issuance of corrective notices to 18 establishments.
According to a spokesperson for the BFA, inspection teams conducted raids across Quetta, Hub, Loralai, and Usta Muhammad, covering restaurants, bakeries, fast food outlets, general stores, water plants, dairy farms, and ice factories.
In Quetta, inspections were carried out in areas including Sariab Road, Double Road, Airport Road, GOR Colony, Quetta Cantonment surroundings, and several other localities. During these operations, one water plant was sealed for using unauthorized product labeling, lack of registration, and violation of food safety regulations.
Multiple food outlets, including restaurants, pizza points, bakeries, snack shops, and water plants, were fined for serious violations such as expired food items, use of hazardous food colors, unhygienic conditions, improper waste disposal, presence of insects, and poor storage practices. Authorities also reported non-compliance with licensing requirements and missing expiry or manufacturing dates on packaged goods.
During milk quality testing, samples collected from various shops revealed adulteration with water and powdered milk in two cases, leading to fines against the shop owners. Several other samples have been sent for laboratory analysis.
In Hub, BFA teams took action against general stores and restaurants found selling expired products, gutka, and using harmful food additives, while also penalizing businesses for improper storage and violations of food safety standards.
In Loralai, inspections of dairy farms revealed the use of skimmed milk powder, oxytocin injections, poor hygiene conditions, and violations of SOPs. Four dairy farms were fined, while several others were issued warning notices.
In Usta Muhammad, multiple grocery stores operating without valid food business licenses were penalized, while minor violations were addressed through corrective notices.
Director General Balochistan Food Authority, Habibullah Khan, stated that no compromise will be made on public health and food safety. He urged all food business operators to strictly follow hygiene standards and BFA regulations, warning that strict legal action will continue against violators.
