Islamabad Food Authority Intensifies Crackdown; November Performance Report Highlights Major Actions Against Adulterated Products

Independent Report

ISLAMABAD — The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) continued its aggressive operations throughout November to ensure the availability of safe and hygienic food in the federal capital. Under the supervision of Deputy Director Dr. Tahira Siddique, food safety teams carried out extensive inspections and enforcement actions across the city.

According to the newly issued monthly performance report:

1,218 food points were inspected.

Rs. 3.68 million in fines were imposed.

49 food outlets were sealed for serious violations.

1,085 new licences were issued.

During the operations, large quantities of substandard and prohibited items were confiscated and destroyed, including:

17,170 kg dairy products

379 litres beverages

130 kg meat

114 kg expired goods

203 kg banned ingredients

Fifteen food samples from the market were dispatched for laboratory analysis, while 43 public complaints were addressed promptly through on-ground action.

Dr. Tahira Siddique stated that 540 food outlets received improvement notices to enhance hygiene standards and food handling practices. She reiterated that the sale of adulterated, unsafe, or prohibited food products would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The Deputy Director urged consumers to carefully examine products before purchase and ensure they use only approved and hygienic food items.

However, despite all these efforts, the overall results remain unsatisfactory due to the shortage of IFA field staff. As a result, adulterated mutton, meat, grocery items, spices, salt, water, beverages, baby biscuits, and even vegetables grown with contaminated water can still be found in various markets across the city.