In a continued effort to ensure the quality of fish, Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has intensified its inspection campaign against frying fish points across the province. PFA DG Asim Javed led an inspection in the provincial capital on Wednesday, overseeing the quality control process at various fish frying establishments. During the campaign, a total of 1,529 fish frying points across Punjab were checked and fines of over Rs 3.8 million were imposed on 280 establishments. As part of the operation, three points were shut down for frying fish in used oil. Additionally, 630 liters of used oil and one maund of spoiled fish were seized and disposed of.

As many as 1,080 points were issued notices to ensure higher standards. The inspection covered key districts, including 168 points in Lahore Division, 156 in Faisalabad, 84 in Sahiwal, 166 in Rawalpindi, and 216 in Gujranwala. In other areas, 256 points in Sargodha, 211 in Dera Ghazi Khan, 127 in Multan, and 145 in Bahawalpur were also inspected. DG Asim Javed stated that several fish frying points were shut down due to violations, including the use of rancid oil, unhygienic conditions, and improper storage of fish in blue drums with chemicals and spices. He stressed that using recycled oil for frying fish was a serious health hazard which would not be tolerated.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)