Rawalpindi - The Food Control Department of Rawalpindi Cantonment Board imposed fines amounting to Rs537,500 on food outlets for unhygienic food and poor cleanliness conditions during last month.

Chief Inspector, Incharge Food Department, Waris Bhatti talking to this agency informed that the teams on the directive of the Cantonment Executive Officer Dr Saima Shah conducted surprise raids at different food outlets in Saddar, Tench Bhatta, Peoples Colony, Masrial Road, Bakra Mandi Road, Chor, Quaid e Azam Colony, Dhoke Chaudharian, Afshan Colony and other areas in October and collected 400 samples which were sent to the lab for quality tests.

As many as 120 food outlets were challaned while 14 restaurants, hotels, kitchens of bakaries and other points were sealed during operation against the violators.

He said that fines imposed by Judicial Magistrate Cantt were amounting to Rs270,500 while on the spot fines of Rs 267,000 were imposed by Deputy Cantonment Executive Officer under 23PF Act.

The RCB teams also visited a number of food outlets and issued notices on poor cleanliness, besides ordering them to maintain standard else strict action would be taken against the violators.

He said, raids on food outlets would continue, adding that teams were directed to also check the health of workers serving at the food outlets.