The Punjab Food Authority has destroyed 16,700 kilograms of rotten mangoes found at a juice-processing facility in Muzaffargarh.
The food safety team inspected the unit on Jatoi Road and imposed a Rs. 200,000 fine on its management for violating food safety regulations.
According to a Punjab Food Authority spokesperson, the facility allegedly planned to process the spoiled fruit into mango pulp.
Manufacturers could then have used the pulp to produce juice for public consumption.
The inspection team also found rotten mangoes mixed with fresh stock. Officials said this appeared to be an attempt to conceal the poor condition of the fruit.
The food safety team reported serious hygiene violations inside the facility.
Inspectors found insects and large numbers of dead flies in the storage area. The authority described the conditions as a threat to public health.
Officials destroyed the entire confiscated stock at the site to prevent it from entering the food supply chain.
The authority carried out the operation on the directions of Punjab Food Authority Director General Syed Musa Raza.
The Director Operations South-I supervised the inspection, according to the PFA spokesperson.
The director general urged consumers to prefer freshly prepared homemade juices. He also said the authority would continue taking action against businesses that put public health at risk.
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