Dr. Israr Khan, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister (SACM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Food, chaired a performance review meeting on Friday to advance a “zero-tolerance policy” against food adulteration. The session focused on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority’s (KPFS&HFA) enforcement campaigns, digital reforms via a new Management Information System (MIS), and a province-wide milk inspection drive.
KP Food Authority Targets Adulteration Supply Chains
According to Dr. Israr Khan, the provincial government is committed to providing safe and hygienic food. He stated that the KP Food Authority is conducting daily sampling, inspections, and enforcement operations to protect public health. To dismantle the “adulteration mafia,” Dr. Khan directed field officers to intensify surveillance of cooking oil, ghee, and milk.
The SACM specified that enforcement teams must identify the original sources of substandard products. He ordered that legal action should extend beyond the individuals responsible to include the seizure of vehicles used for transportation, aiming to break the entire supply chain of contaminated food.
Digital Reforms and Administrative Accountability
Director General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Authority Kashif Iqbal Jilani briefed the meeting on the agency’s overall performance and a future roadmap for strengthening regulations. This strategy includes digital reforms and the introduction of new applications under the Management Information System (MIS) to track and manage food safety data.
Dr. Khan emphasized a policy of reward and accountability for the staff. He noted that dedicated officers will be encouraged, while those guilty of negligence or dereliction of duty will face strict legal action. The meeting included Director Operations Muhammad Yousaf, Director Administration Amir Hassan, and district field officers who participated via video link.
Public Role in Food Safety Enforcement
The provincial government is seeking active public cooperation to identify violators. Dr. Khan appealed to citizens to report the sale and production of substandard food items to the KP Food Authority, stating that such reports are essential for timely action and the protection of citizen health.
Under the current framework, businesses that comply with safety standards will be encouraged, while those producing hazardous products will face legal prosecution.
Potential Impact on Food Markets
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