Karachi, In a decisive move to enhance food safety and quality in Sindh, Chief Minister Justice (Rtd) Maqbool Baqir has directed the Sindh Food Authority to develop a rigorous inspection and operational plan. This directive is part of an effort to ensure the safety and quality of food products in the region, following concerns about the current standards being maintained.
According to Chief Minister Sindh, these directives were issued during a meeting at the Chief Minister House, which focused on the performance and responsibilities of the Sindh Food Authority. The meeting was attended by notable officials including Chief Secretary Dr. Fakhar Alam, Secretary Food Nasir Abbas Soomro, DG Food Authority Agha Fakhar, Secretary Planning Asghar Memon, and other concerned authorities.
The Chief Minister expressed concerns over the lack of special care in maintaining food safety, quality, and hygiene in various establishments, including government and private hospitals, medical colleges, ice factories, sweet shops, bakeries, milk shops, and slaughterhouses. He emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Food Authority to conduct inspections and ensure adherence to safety and quality practices.
Justice Baqir noted reports indicating that local mineral water companies and producers of oil and ghee are not complying with legal standards for quality and safety. He pointed out that many such products are being sold in the market without meeting the necessary safety and quality standards.
The DG Sindh Food Authority informed the Chief Minister that the authority’s laws were recently established. He assured that the teams would be mobilized to inspect all establishments involved in the manufacturing and production of food items to ensure their quality and cleanliness.
The Chief Minister has also directed the Chief Secretary to monitor the functioning of the Food Authority closely and ensure that it becomes more active in safeguarding public health. Additionally, the Chief Secretary was tasked to evaluate and address any issues faced by the Sindh Food Authority, enabling it to operate effectively.