BFA Launches Province-Wide Offensive Against Unsafe Food, Seals Factories and Penalizes Violators

Independent Report
Quetta, January 30:
The Balochistan Food Authority (BFA) has stepped up enforcement action against the manufacture and sale of unsafe and substandard food items across the province, sealing two factories and imposing fines on 30 outlets for serious breaches of food safety regulations during inspections in Quetta and several other districts.
According to a BFA spokesperson, inspection teams in Quetta’s Mashriqi Bypass, Jattak Stop and Sarki Road areas shut down a tamarind processing unit after identifying multiple violations. The facility was operating without laboratory test reports, had inadequate and substandard processing lines, and lacked proper segregation of raw materials, packaging and spoiled products. Inspectors also found fungal-contaminated fruits, unhygienic storage conditions, poor cleanliness, improper waste disposal, and the absence of pest control measures. In addition, the unit had no product registration or approved labels, while workers were operating without protective clothing, prompting immediate suspension of production.
During the same operation, a snack manufacturing unit in the area was also sealed for non-compliance with hygiene and food safety standards. Officials reported unsanitary conditions, unregistered production, missing laboratory reports and product registration, unapproved labeling, pre-printed production and expiry dates, lack of ingredient traceability records, weak waste and pest control systems, and improper storage of both raw materials and finished products.
Similar inspection drives were carried out in Noshki, Dera Murad Jamali, Loralai, Qilla Saifullah and Panjgur, where multiple food outlets were fined for violations of food safety laws.
Newly appointed Director General BFA Habibullah Khan stated that ensuring the availability of safe, quality and nutritious food for the public remains the authority’s top priority, warning that no compromise would be allowed in this regard. He urged food business operators to strictly adhere to food safety regulations or face firm legal action.
The DG further said that monitoring mechanisms are being strengthened throughout the province and that action against those posing risks to public health will continue without discrimination. He also encouraged citizens to report the production or sale of substandard food to the authority to facilitate timely action against practices hazardous to public health.