ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) has ramped up food safety inspections as Ramazan begins, with teams scrutinizing 26 food outlets in the Margalla Ramazan Bazaar. The inspections covered general stores, fruit vendors, dry nut shops, and food processing units to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
Deputy Director Dr. Tahira Siddiqui emphasized that IFA teams are conducting daily inspections across markets and Ramazan bazaars to uphold food quality standards. She stated that efforts have been intensified to monitor both established businesses and small-scale vendors citywide throughout the holy month.
Dr. Siddiqui highlighted that special attention is being directed toward neighborhood dairy shops, street vendors, and temporary stalls to curb the sale of unsafe products.
During recent inspections, authorities flagged multiple violations, including the use of substandard cooking oil and the absence of proper sales records. Offenders face strict penalties such as fines or business closures. “We will not tolerate unsafe practices like using low-quality oil for frying or failing to maintain proper records,” Dr. Siddiqui warned.
The IFA also encourages public participation in ensuring food safety. Residents are advised to check expiry dates, packaging integrity, and storage conditions before making purchases.
“Every citizen deserves access to safe food during Ramazan. We are utilizing every available resource—inspections, testing, and public feedback—to achieve this goal,” Dr. Siddiqui affirmed.
