Karachi: The Director General of the Sindh Food Authority (SFA), Muzamil Hussain, declared a zero-tolerance policy against the sale of unpackaged cooking oil, stating that businesses violating this policy would face license cancellations and fines. This announcement was made at a luncheon hosted by the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA), aiming to address the regulatory challenges faced by the industry.
According to Sindh Food Authority, during his address, Hussain highlighted the discrepancies between the standards enforced by the Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and those of provincial authorities, which he noted as complicating compliance for manufacturers and traders. Efforts are underway to harmonize these regulations to ease business operations.
Hussain detailed the SFA’s commitment to transparency, with all inspections and penalties closely monitored to ensure fairness. “We conducted 600 inspections last year in Sindh, which have now surged to 9,500 monthly,” he stated, revealing the implementation of a one-window online licensing system intended to streamline processes for businesses. Additionally, fines exceeding Rs. 50,000 will now require direct approval from the DG to prevent misuse of authority.
The expansion of food safety monitoring to all 30 districts of Sindh was also announced, with Hussain affirming the SFA’s intent to collaborate with the PVMA to establish clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for raids and inspections. This move is designed to encourage businesses to reach out directly with any complaints.
PVMA Chairman Sheikh Umar Rehan expressed support for the SFA’s crackdown on open oil sales but voiced concerns over what he described as instances of harassment by SFA officials, including fines of up to Rs. 1 million imposed unjustly. Rehan called for a transparent approach by the authority, advocating for the issuance of notices and providing businesses time to comply with regulations.
“The edible oil industry is one of the most organized and transparent sectors, and we stand ready to comply with food safety standards,” Rehan stated, urging the adoption of jointly defined SOPs to ensure fair inspections. He emphasized that the PVMA would fully support penalties in cases of non-compliance, provided that proper procedures are followed.
The meeting concluded with both the SFA and PVMA reaffirming their commitment to work together to ensure food safety and foster a conducive business environment.