Since July 2012, the Punjab Food Authority has been operating as a functioning institution in all 36 districts of Punjab Province.
Food hygiene and quality standards as described in the Punjab Food Authority Act 2011 and the Pure Food Rules 2011 are enforced by qualified teams of Food Safety Officers (FSOs) and Assistant Food Safety Officers (AFSOs) through specialized wings “Resource & Licensing,” “Technical,” and “Operations.”
Food safety teams ensure food safety. The Punjab Food Authority has state-of-the-art labs that operate around the clock and conduct food testing for food cleanliness and adulteration under the supervision of certified personnel.
Statement of Purpose “In conjunction with manufacturers, Food Business Operators, consumers, government departments, autonomous organizations, and other stakeholders, Punjab Food Authority aspires to assure food safety and quality in the whole food chain while working on scientific principles and worldwide best practices.”
Statement of Intent “The Punjab Food Authority’s goal is to guarantee that all food items and products are safe and high-quality.”
Role of Punjab Food Authority
Here are some of the PFA’s main tasks.
- To guarantee that the food industry in the province, including producers, distributors, suppliers, importers, and all other related individuals, adheres to the prescribed food safety requirements.
- To provide rules, procedures, methods, standards, and licensing protocols for any food business area, such as food labelling, food handling, additive inclusion, etc.
- To uphold the province’s food quality standards through enforcing the rules and regulations.
- To make the procedures and guidelines involved with establishing a food laboratory clearer.
- To describe all aspects of licensing, recall processes, ban notices, improvement orders, and the potential of legal action in the event of non-compliance with the requirements.
- Plan and provide training programs that educate food companies on the standards that must be adhered to.
- To authorize items for export following quality testing.
- Surveys and statistics about the food business will be collected and analyzed.
- Raise public knowledge about food safety and standards.
- Food products/items must be certified for export.
- Food products may be traced both forward and backwards.
- Data on food and nutrient intakes are collected, integrated, analyzed, interpreted, and disseminated as part of surveillance.
Since the PFA’s formation, qualified teams of specialists comprised of Food Safety Officers (FSOs) and Assistant Food Safety Officers have carried out all of the PFA’s functions (AFSOs). The major purpose is to ensure that food quality and standards are maintained from the producer to the consumer, with no compromises in terms of food safety.
Function of PFA
Functions performed by Punjab Food Authority are the following:
Testing and Screening Food Items
The Punjab Food Authority has popular food laboratories specialized in testing and verifying the safety of food samples. The lab also features a medical examination facility that screens samples and food handlers for food-borne infections to limit the danger of food-borne illnesses in the province.
Food Surveillance
Food surveillance is primarily concerned with producing and selling food in local markets. It’s usually done through food sampling, surprise raids, and even daily inspections. If the modifications and improvements aren’t up to par, penalties, legal action, product seizure, business closure, and product recalls are among the several enforcement methods available.
Food Goals
The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) is responsible for guaranteeing food safety and cleanliness in Punjab, which entails investigating all food items and their manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale. It also establishes the guidelines for handling food to preserve the greatest possible quality. Amendments to the standards are made only after careful consideration and with the help of a scientific body devoted to the task.
Services offered by Punjab Food Authority
Following are the services which PFA offers:
Food license
The Punjab Food Authority Act 2011 requires every food business in Punjab to obtain a license, which must be renewed every year. Without a license, manufacturing, selling, storing, importing, or distributing food is a criminal offence punishable by up to a year in prison. You may also go straight to the section below that explains how to get a food license.
Food Product Registration
Before you may sell your items as a food operator, you must first register them with the Punjab Food Authority. Use this checklist to prepare for product registration and fill out this form to apply for it. Before submitting your application, you should read the product registration rules.
Training of Food Officers
The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) maintains a school that teaches food handlers on food cleanliness and safety so that illnesses are transmitted less through food. In numerous sessions, food handlers are instructed on the criteria they must keep after registering, and those who qualify are given a certificate. Interested persons may now only register for level 1 or level 2, but more levels are expected to be added to the sessions shortly.
Guideline for License
Here is the whole detail to get a food license by PFA:
There are numerous methods to apply for a food license from the PFA if you are a food operator:
- Using the Official Android App from afar
- PFA’s website is a convenient way to do so.
- Visiting a PFA office in your area
- contacting a local PFA team for assistance
once you apply for a license the following way, then you have to follow the following procedure:
- You will get an SMS.
- Then a team of Punjab food authorities will visit your business.
- The team will check the hygiene criteria of your business. If it meets the criteria, they will give you a license.
- After approval, you will get an SMS with the challan ID.
- Then you have to pay the fees within the next 15 days.
- Then you will receive a confirmation message.
Because the licensing charge varies depending on the license type, it’s critical to apply for the right one for your firm. Before submitting your application, look through all the different food licenses available. You may find complete food licensing rules in English and Urdu on the official PFA website.
Punjab Food Authority also offers remote services:
Punjab food authority has its app and website where you can get yourself registered and enjoy the following services:
- Obtaining a new food license.
- Food product registration with the PFA.
- Enrolling in a food safety course.
- Choosing a medical examination.
- Making a complaint or providing comments.
- Getting the most up-to-date information about the PFA.
- Monitoring the status of your driver’s license.
- Locating PFA branches in your area.
Punjab Food Authority Online Portal
As Punjab food authority provides online services. It also provides its online login portal. You can sign in or sign up to its login portal by following the given steps:
Step number 1:
Use our official link below to get to the Punjab Food Authority Online Portal official login page. When you click the link, it will open in a new tab, allowing you to continue reading the tutorial.
Step number 2:
Log in using your username and password. Punjab Food Authority Online Portal must have supplied these to you, either when you signed up or your Punjab Food Authority Online Portal authority.
Step number 3:
You should now get a notification that says “successfully logged in.” Congratulations, you have successfully logged in to the Punjab Food Authority Online Portal.
Step number 4:
If you can’t log in Punjab Food Authority online portal, there are also troubleshooting steps that you can follow.
Complain to Punjab Food Authority
The Punjab Food Authority is dedicated to improving the province’s food quality and invites suggestions and complaints concerning food cleanliness and safety.
While you can file a complaint using one of the digital ways described above, you can also do so by calling toll-free at the Punjab Food Authority’s contact lines. To speak with a representative, dial 0800-80500, 0800-13505, or 0800-13525.
Locations of its Offices
The authority’s offices are located in many cities, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Multan, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Vehari, Mandi Bahauddin.
Conclusion
This article contains whole information about Punjab Food Authority its role and functions. You can also apply here for a food license. The process is also mentioned in this article. It also provides many online services, which are mentioned in this article. You can visit their website for more information, which can help you with particular questions regarding your food company.
Visit the Punjab Food Authority’s website’s Info Desk & Downloads area, which includes SOPs for various food enterprises, historical inspection reports, and more. You may also look for PFA job openings on their official website or Facebook page.
