Food Authority seizes 1,480 litres of open oil, bakery waste in Gujrat

GUJRAT: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has seized 1,480 litres of open cooking oil, 340 kilogrammes of bakery waste and a vehicle during two separate operations in Sarai Alamgir and Lala Musa.

The operations were conducted on the directions of PFA Director General Raja Mansoor Ahmed against the illegal sale and transportation of food items.

According to the PFA, its team intercepted a vehicle (CAY-7162) near Service Morr, which was allegedly being used to transport open oil and bakery waste in drums. The driver failed to produce any record or documents relating to the material being transported, officials said.

During the operation, 280 litres of open oil and 340kg of bakery waste were seized, while the vehicle was also taken into custody. A case was registered against the driver over violations of food safety regulations.

In another action in Lala Musa, PFA officials raided a scrap warehouse after receiving information about the illegal trade in open cooking oil. The raid led to the seizure of 1,200 litres of open oil, officials said.

The warehouse owner was booked for allegedly selling and handling food products in violation of food safety laws.

The PFA said the action was initiated on information provided by its vigilance wing and that further investigation into the supply chain was underway.

PFA Director General Raja Mansoor Ahmed said the authority would continue taking action against businesses involved in unlawful food practices.

“Those involved in food fraud will not be allowed to operate in violation of the law,” the official said, adding that a zero-tolerance policy was being followed against the food fraud mafia.

He said businesses complying with food safety laws would be facilitated under the authority’s public-friendly policies, while strict action would continue against those endangering public health.
The seized material was taken into custody for further legal proceedings, the PFA said.