BFA Seizes Large Consignment of Unfit Chicken Meat at Quetta Airport, Fines 25 Food Businesses Across Balochistan

Quetta: The Balochistan Food Authority (BFA) has seized a large consignment of allegedly unfit chicken meat during a raid near Quetta Airport, while continuing its province-wide crackdown against unsafe and substandard food.

According to the BFA, acting on a tip-off, a Food Safety Team led by Director Operations Fakhruddin Marri intercepted passenger bus BSB-743, which had arrived from Multan, and recovered a large quantity of chicken meat that was allegedly being transported under unhygienic conditions.

Officials said the meat was suspected to be destined for hotels, restaurants, and other food outlets in Quetta. The timely operation prevented the allegedly unsafe meat from entering the local food supply, reducing potential public health risks.

Director Operations Fakhruddin Marri stated that the meat was being transported in a manner that violated food safety and hygiene standards, prompting immediate action by the authority.

In a separate province-wide inspection campaign, BFA food safety teams carried out inspections at bakeries, baking units, general stores, restaurants, catering outlets, and other food businesses in Quetta, Panjgur, Dera Allah Yar, Loralai, and Lasbela.

As a result of the inspections, 25 food businesses were fined for violations of food safety regulations, poor hygiene, and other regulatory breaches, while 26 establishments were issued improvement notices to address deficiencies.

During the inspections, food business operators were instructed to maintain proper sanitation, ensure safe food preparation and storage practices, use quality raw materials, and strictly comply with the Balochistan Food Authority’s standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The Director General of the Balochistan Food Authority reaffirmed the authority’s zero-tolerance policy against substandard, adulterated, and unsafe food, emphasizing that there would be no compromise on public health.

The BFA also urged consumers to purchase chicken only after ensuring it is slaughtered and prepared in their presence whenever possible, and encouraged the public to report any suspected sale of unsafe or substandard food so that timely legal action can be taken.