Province-Wide Crackdown Against Substandard and Unsafe Food Intensified

On the directives of Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Food, Dr Muhammad Israr Khan, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety & Halal Food Authority has intensified its province-wide crackdown against substandard, mislabelled and unsafe food products.
According to a spokesperson for the Food Authority, food safety teams carried out inspections and enforcement operations in Peshawar, Lower Dir, Swat and Malakand, resulting in the seizure of large quantities of unsafe food items and initiation of legal action against violators.
In Peshawar, food safety teams conducted a joint operation on Warsak Road and in Dir Colony, where a large quantity of substandard juices was seized. The teams also confiscated cheese products carrying fake and tampered expiry dates.
In Lower Dir, inspectors visited an ice cream manufacturing unit in Timergara and imposed a heavy fine over poor hygiene conditions. An improvement notice was issued to ensure compliance with food safety standards within the stipulated timeframe. Several other food businesses were also inspected and directed to implement food safety regulations.
In Swat, the Authority’s Mobile Food Testing Laboratory examined samples of milk and beverages on the spot. During the operation, more than 250 units of mislabelled and substandard ice cream and 70 bundles of mislabelled popsicles were destroyed, while substantial fines were imposed on the operators concerned.
Meanwhile, in Malakand, a raid was conducted on a warehouse following a tip-off. Using modern scientific testing techniques, food safety officials recovered approximately 12,000 rotten and unfit eggs. The entire stock was confiscated and destroyed, while legal proceedings were initiated against those responsible.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Muhammad Israr Khan reiterated that the provision of safe, quality and healthy food to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains the government’s top priority.
“We will continue taking indiscriminate action against food adulteration, fraudulent labelling and all practices that endanger public health. No leniency will be shown to those found violating food safety laws,” he said.
The Food Authority spokesperson added that enforcement operations across the province would continue without interruption to ensure compliance with food safety standards and protect consumers from unsafe food products.