Food safety teams in Punjab and Sindh launched coordinated crackdowns this week, seizing unsafe food supplies and sealing outlets over grave hygiene violations.
The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) in Sargodha seized 1,200 kilograms of unhygienic meat during a raid on a supplier reportedly transporting it to restaurants and hotels.
Deputy Director of Operations Mohammad Shahbaz Sarwar led the operation, intercepting a vehicle and recovering the contaminated meat. Officials destroyed the consignment on the spot and registered a case against the accused.
A PFA spokesperson said the action aimed to prevent the entry of harmful products into the food chain and warned suppliers of strict legal consequences for endangering public health.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Food Authority (SFA) conducted surprise inspections in Hyderabad, sealing an ice cream and Limca outlet in Latifabad Unit No. 7 for using expired products and hazardous ice. Officials also imposed a fine of Rs 0.1 million on the owner.
Deputy Director Operations Dr Asad Jahangir said raids were initiated after a surge in public complaints. Teams swept through restaurants, bakeries, hotels, and food courts to enforce compliance with hygiene laws.
Separately, SFA inspectors raided restaurants at a major mall on Autobahn Road and imposed heavy fines for poor kitchen standards.
In another major action in Karachi earlier in March 2025, the authority raided a branch of a well-known five-star hotel chain near PID, seizing 25 kilograms of expired meat, outdated buttercream, and other substandard food items, highlighting lapses even at high-end establishments.