BFA Launches Food Safety Drive In Balochistan

QUETTA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Jul, 2025) Provincial Minister for Food and Chairman BFA, Haji Noor Muhammad Dummar, along with Director General Waqar Khurshid Alam, affirmed the government’s steadfast commitment to ensuring safe and quality food to the masses across the province, the officials said.

The officials emphasized that the BFA's efforts transcend routine administration as it is a transformative mission to build a healthier future for Balochistan.

They reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the availability of safe and quality food for the people of Balochistan.

The officials emphasized that the BFA’s work is not merely a government initiative but a sustained and results-driven mission aimed at building a healthier Balochistan.

During the briefing, the Minister and DG, BFA unveiled the authority’s 2025 performance report, highlighting comprehensive inspections, strict enforcement, and scientific testing conducted throughout the year to uphold food safety standards.

According to the report, 15,956 food establishments were inspected across the province. As a result of serious violations, 66 centers and factories were sealed, and numerous others faced heavy fines. Additionally, 5,589 establishments received corrective notices, urging them to address deficiencies and comply with food safety regulations.

The authority’s state-of-the-art scientific laboratory tested 2,821 food items, out of which 1,723 were found to meet the quality standards, while 1,098 were declared substandard, triggering immediate legal action.

The BFA also launched a major crackdown on hazardous agricultural practices. Over the past month, more than 1,200 acres of crops, grown using contaminated water from drainage channels in Quetta, were destroyed to prevent toxic produce from entering the food supply chain.

“Our teams are not only active in legal enforcement but are also focused on promoting long-term improvements in the food sector,” said DG Waqar Khurshid.

He highlighted the BFA's role in organizing training sessions, awareness campaigns, and reformative actions to foster sustainable change.

To empower citizens, the BFA installed complaint boxes throughout Quetta, inviting public participation in identifying violations and food adulteration, sad DG.

To make food safety efforts more accessible to the public, Waqar Khurshid said that complaint boxes have been installed at various locations throughout Quetta, allowing citizens to directly report any instances of food adulteration or safety violations.

Minister Dummar urged media personnel to become partners in this public health mission. “We appeal to the media to help us identify and expose those involved in the production or sale of adulterated and substandard food so that timely action can be taken against such health hazards,” he said.

The minister reaffirmed that the BFA’s motto “Safe Food, Healthy Life” is not just a slogan but a practical commitment, and the authority remains active at all levels to fulfill this mission without discrimination or compromise.

"It is a hands-on commitment, backed by decisive action, scientific vigilance, and an unwavering resolve to protect every citizen’s right to safe nourishment, " he added.

Minister Dummar called on media representatives to act as partners in this public health mission.

He also urged the media to help us uncover and report those responsible for the production or sale of adulterated and substandard food. Timely action depends on timely exposure,” he added.

“Our teams are not just enforcers; they’re agents of long-term reform,” said DG Waqar Khurshid, outlining initiatives such as training programs, awareness drives, and policy reform to elevate food standards sustainably.