BFA intensifies food safety operations across province

QUETTA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th May, 2026) The Balochistan Food Authority (BFA) has intensified its food safety operations across various districts, taking strict action against violations of hygiene standards, expired products, illegal businesses, and non-compliance of food safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

According to officials, inspections were carried out at 159 food units, resulting in one unit being sealed, 32 fined, and 63 issued improvement notices. In Quetta, an ice cream manufacturing unit was sealed on the spot due to serious violations, including poor sanitation, lack of licensing and registration, substandard storage, inadequate worker hygiene, and failure to comply with food safety protocols.

The inspections targeted general stores, bakeries, restaurants, fast food outlets, milk shops, and water plants. At general stores, expired cold drinks, biscuits, chips, spices, juices, and other substandard items were confiscated and fines imposed. Bakeries were found selling unlabelled products without manufacturing or expiry dates, while issues such as poor worker hygiene and pest infestations were also reported.

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Restaurants and fast food outlets were cited for unsafe food handling, mixing raw and cooked food, lack of PPE use, open garbage, and the use of banned Chinese salt. Milk shops and water plants were flagged for unsafe sale of loose milk, poor storage, and absence of registration certificates at RO plants. Owners were instructed to immediately observe SOPs and obtain proper registration.

During the operations, authorities also seized and destroyed banned Chinese salt, gutka/mawa, expired biscuits, juices, and substandard food colors. The BFA spokesperson stressed that operating without a food business license was a criminal offense, and violators would not be allowed to continue operations.

All food business operators have been strictly directed to comply with food safety SOPs, hygiene rules, and legal requirements, or face tougher legal action in the future.