ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) has intensified its crackdown on unsafe food practices, sealing 58 eateries and food outlets and slapping Rs2.01 million in fines during July alone.
In an exclusive briefing to APP, Dr. Tahira Siddique, Deputy Director Operations at IFA, shared the monthly performance report highlighting 1,276 inspections carried out from July 1 to July 31 across various food-related businesses in the federal capital.
“These inspections covered everything from fine-dining restaurants and bakeries to grocery stores, roadside stalls, and food factories,” Dr. Tahira stated.
A total of 856 outlets received improvement notices, advising them to correct hygiene, storage, and handling practices. For more serious breaches, enforcement action followed:
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113 outlets were fined
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58 businesses were sealed for persistent non-compliance
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1 FIR was registered for grave food safety violations
During inspections, IFA teams destroyed 3,035 kg/liters of unsafe food items unfit for human consumption. Seized and discarded materials included:
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1,050 kg of rotten meat
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923 kg/liters of spoiled milk and dairy products
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249 kg of stale or previously served food
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227 kg/liters of expired items
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265 liters of expired soft drinks
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41 liters of used or unfit cooking oil
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15 kg of salt without iodine
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20 kg of tea mixed with harmful substances
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12 kg of banned MSG (monosodium glutamate)
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1,577 sachets of prohibited products
To ensure ongoing monitoring, the authority collected 34 food samples for lab testing. Depending on results, further legal action may be taken against violators.
The IFA also responded to 51 public complaints and issued 425 food licenses to businesses meeting legal requirements and hygiene benchmarks.
Dr. Siddique reiterated that the authority’s work goes beyond enforcement—it includes public education and preventive action. “Regular inspections and awareness drives will continue to protect public health,” she said.
Businesses were urged to maintain food licenses, record ingredient details, and follow expiry labeling rules to remain compliant.
The IFA invited citizens to report food safety concerns using its helpline and digital complaint system, assuring swift action against violators.