PFA Discards 1,950kg of Diseased Poultry in Lahore Crackdown, Arrests Suspect
In a significant operation targeting food safety violations, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) conducted a city-wide crackdown on meat shops and suppliers in Lahore on Saturday. Acting under the directives of Director General Asim Javed, food safety teams inspected a total of 43 meat shops and suppliers across the city. During these inspections, the authority arrested a suspect involved in the illegal sale of dead poultry from Tollinton Market and discarded a substantial quantity of unhealthy meat deemed unfit for human consumption.
Details of the Operation and Health Risks
According to a PFA spokesperson, the operation involved checking 84,335 kilogrammes of meat. Out of this amount, 1,950 kilogrammes of chickens and prepared meat were confiscated and discarded after being found to pose serious health risks. Director General Asim Javed highlighted that the confiscated poultry was suffering from various diseases, including infections, and was underweight, making it hazardous for consumption. He further revealed that these diseased chickens were intended for distribution to multiple shops in Tollinton Market, underscoring the potential widespread impact of such fraudulent practices.
Additional violations were observed during the inspections, including poor hygiene arrangements at several outlets and workers operating without mandatory medical certificates. In response to these findings, fines were imposed on four outlets, and a case was registered against the arrested individual involved in the sale of dead poultry.
PFA's Commitment to Food Safety and Future Measures
Director General Asim Javed emphasized that preparing and selling meat from diseased poultry constitutes a serious offense and will not be tolerated by the authority. He stated that the PFA is actively working to implement internationally standardized systems for meat processing and distribution to enhance food safety protocols. Additionally, he affirmed that all available resources are being utilized to eliminate the fraudulent mafia engaged in the illegal meat trade, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the provision of safe and quality food to the public.
This crackdown is part of ongoing efforts by the Punjab Food Authority to combat food adulteration and protect consumer health in Lahore. The authority continues to monitor meat suppliers closely and urges citizens to report any suspicious activities related to food safety.
