No Compromise on Public Health, Says DG Food Authority Kashif Iqbal Jilani -

Staff Reporter

PESHAWAR: Director General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety & Halal Food Authority, Kashif Iqbal Jilani has said that there will be no compromise on public health and that those involved in adulteration and the sale of substandard or hazardous food will face strict action without any leniency.
He stated that the KP Food Safety & Halal Food Authority is strictly implementing a zero-tolerance policy against the adulteration mafia and individuals involved in unsafe and substandard food practices to safeguard public health.
The DG expressed these views during a surprise visit to Malakand, yesterday, accompanied by Director Operations Muhammad Yousaf. The Malakand Food Safety Team was also present during the visit.
During the inspection, the team checked hotels, restaurants, milk shops, ghee and oil mills, and other food-related business units operating in different areas of Malakand. Several food business operators were issued improvement notices over violations of hygiene and food safety standards.
Samples were collected from two ghee and edible oil manufacturing units and sent to the Authority’s Provincial Food Testing Laboratory and Centre for Research for detailed analysis. The owners were informed that strict legal action would be taken if the laboratory reports confirm the products to be substandard or unsafe.
Kashif Iqbal urged the public, media, and food business operators to fully cooperate with the Food Authority in promoting safe and quality food. He appealed to citizens to report businesses involved in unsafe food practices, stating that effective public cooperation is essential for the complete eradication of substandard food.
Jilani further extended that a state-of-the-art provincial food testing laboratory equipped with modern machinery has been established under the Food Authority, eliminating the need to send samples to other provinces. Food testing is now being carried out at the provincial level on modern scientific lines.
He added that along with routine inspections, the series of surprise visits across the province will continue to curb adulteration mafia and ensure the provision of safe and quality food to the public.