Expired Frozen Meat
In a significant operation targeting food safety violations, authorities in Punjab seized a staggering 80,000 kilograms of expired and foul-smelling frozen meat from a cold storage facility in Ferozewala, Sheikhupura. The crackdown was led by Salma Butt, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Punjab, who accompanied the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) teams during the raid.
According to officials, the spoiled meat was stored in large quantities, tightly packed in sacks, and kept in extremely unhygienic conditions. The storage facility was found to be operating in gross violation of food safety standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs). The condition of the meat and the environment in which it was stored raised serious public health concerns.
Authorities believe the expired meat was destined for distribution to various high-profile food outlets, including popular restaurant chains, major supermarkets, and other eateries across the region. Salma Butt confirmed during the inspection that the confiscated meat was being prepared for supply to some of the most frequented food establishments in the province.
“The presence of such massive quantities of expired meat, meant for public consumption, is an alarming threat to public health,” Butt stated. “We will not tolerate such criminal negligence, especially when the safety of millions is at stake.”
One suspect has been arrested at the site, and a formal case has been registered. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full scale of the operation and to trace the network behind the illicit supply chain.
The Punjab government, under the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, has vowed to intensify food safety enforcement across the province. Officials have announced that routine inspections and surprise raids will continue in order to curb the distribution of substandard and hazardous food products.
This latest raid underscores the provincial government’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring strict accountability for those who violate food safety laws.
