LAHORE: A major crackdown against the sale of substandard and diseased meat led to the arrest of a suspect and penal action against several outlets as the Punjab Food Authority intensified enforcement across the provincial capital.
Acting on the directions of Director General Asim Javed, food safety teams conducted inspections of 43 meat shops and suppliers across the city. During the drive, fines were imposed on four outlets, while a case was registered against one violator, resulting in the arrest of the accused.
According to official data, a total of 84,335 kilograms of meat was checked, out of which around 1,950 kilograms of chicken and prepared meat was discarded due to health concerns. A significant operation was carried out at Tollinton Market, where authorities apprehended a vendor involved in the sale of dead chickens.
Officials revealed that the discarded poultry was found to be underweight and affected by various diseases, and was allegedly meant for supply to multiple outlets in the city. Inspections also uncovered poor hygiene conditions and the absence of mandatory medical certificates of workers at several meat shops.
The DG Food Authority stated that the processing and sale of meat from diseased poultry constitutes a serious public health violation, reiterating a zero-tolerance policy against such practices.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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