Sindh Food Authority has launched province-wide inspection of canteens to ensure safe and nutritious food for students
Karachi, Sindh
In a proactive move to safeguard the health and ensure well-being of students across the province, the Sindh Food Authority (SFA) has initiated a thorough inspection campaign targeting canteens in schools, colleges, and universities.
This initiative aims to ensure that students are provided with safe, high-quality food options that promote a healthy learning environment.
Director General Sindh Food Authority Muzamil Hussain Halepoto has directed all Food Safety Officers (FSOs) to conduct surprise visits to educational institutions within their respective jurisdictions.
Director General SFA in a statement said that the inspections are designed to enforce strict food safety standards and address any concerns regarding the quality of food served to students.
In response to the directives, SFA teams inspected canteens in several institutions, including IB Sukkur, Indus Law College and various schools and colleges in Hyderabad and Thatta. During these inspections, FSOs are meticulously assessing multiple aspects of food safety, with a strong focus on the hygiene and cleanliness of the canteen environment. This includes thorough checks on kitchen and food preparation areas, storage facilities, and serving stations, as maintaining a clean environment is essential to prevent contamination. Labeling practices are also being carefully evaluated, with FSOs ensuring that all food items display clear ingredient lists, nutritional information, and expiration dates to prevent the sale of expired or mislabeled products.
Read: EU Hands over Mobile Food Testing Lab to Sindh Food Authority
Director General Sindh Food Authority said that the inspection process further includes monitoring cooking practices to confirm that food is prepared under proper handling conditions. This measure aims to eliminate risks of bacterial contamination and safeguard students’ health. Storage conditions, particularly for perishable items, are being checked to ensure that food is kept at suitable temperatures to avoid spoilage.
Muzamil Hussain Halepoto further stated that canteens that fail to meet our safety standards will be issued corrective notices and given a specific timeframe to resolve issues. He further added, beyond enforcing regulations, our Food Safety Officers are also working to educate canteen staff and management on best practices for food storage, handling, and sanitation. “Our goal is to support canteen operators in creating an environment where students can safely enjoy their meals.”
Meanwhile, Sindh Food Authority conducted targeted operations against harmful food products in Malir and Hyderabad. In Malir, under the team, led by In-charge Nadeem Asghar Shar, raided a juice factory, seizing 1700 bottles of chemical-laden juice, suspending production, discarding 500 liters, and imposing Rs.200000 fine.
In Hyderabad, the team inspected Mubeen Spices, where spoiled red chilies, suspicious spice mixes, and unhygienic conditions were found. They discarded 25 kg of spoiled chilies, up to 200 kg of spice mix, and fined the factory Rs.75000. (PR)
Read: Sindh Food Authority plans establishing district offices
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