Metro53 - LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister’s Special Assistant on Food Safety and Consumer Protection Salma Butt has said that the sale of substandard and expired food products poses a serious threat to public health and those responsible for such practices do not deserve any leniency.
Speaking during a podcast hosted by senior journalist Farrukh Shahbaz Warraich, Ms Butt said she had faced threats and pressure on multiple occasions while carrying out operations against individuals and businesses violating food safety laws. However, she maintained that such tactics would not deter her from performing her duties.
She said the Punjab government remained committed to ensuring the availability of safe and quality food for the public and was introducing a series of reforms to modernise the food safety system across the province.
Ms Butt revealed that inspections had uncovered major violations at several food outlets, including high-end restaurants, where consumers were allegedly being served unsafe and substandard food products. She stressed that there would be no compromise on the sale of expired products or violations that endangered public health.
The special assistant said certain vested interests had attempted to exert pressure and intimidate officials involved in enforcement operations, but the government’s resolve to protect consumers remained firm.
She added that authorities were strengthening oversight mechanisms for restaurants, food chains and other food businesses to improve transparency and accountability within the sector. New measures were also being introduced to enhance monitoring and ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
Ms Butt warned that poor-quality food could contribute to serious health complications, including cancer and other life-threatening diseases. “Anyone found endangering public health through the sale of unsafe food will face strict action under the law,” she said.
She reiterated that consumer protection and food safety remained among the government’s top priorities and pledged that enforcement actions against violators would continue without discrimination.
