The Punjab Food Authority has started a two-day food and music festival at Jilani Park in
Lahore to celebrate World Food Day. The Punjab Food Authority Food Festival in Lahore
gives families a chance to enjoy entertainment and learn about safe food and healthy living.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Salma Butt, Chairman Zubair Khan Baloch and the
Director General of the Punjab Food Authority opened the event.

During the opening ceremony, Salma Butt and the chairman visited different food stalls and
spoke with exhibitors. They also visited a nutrition camp organised by the authority and received
basic health tests. These included body fat, Body Mass Index and bone mineral density tests.
Visitors can also get milk, cooking oil, water and spice samples tested without paying any fees.
Salma Butt encouraged citizens to visit the nutrition camp and learn how healthy habits can help
prevent diseases. Visitors can receive basic health tests and diet plans free of charge. Several
brands are also offering discounts of 20 to 30 percent during the festival. These services aim to
help families make informed choices about their health and daily food habits.

She said providing safe and healthy food was an important priority for the Punjab government.
She explained that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif regularly monitors efforts to improve
food quality across the province. The government is also working to reduce food waste and
make nutritious food more accessible to the public.

Salma Butt shared details about the Punjab Food Authority’s inspection work during the current
year. She said officials had inspected 1,031,000 food points and business units. Authorities
closed 3,799 units and registered 1,633 cases. They also imposed fines worth Rs1.3 billion and
tested 34,565 food samples. More than 400,000 notices were issued to food businesses.
The festival also includes a live performance by popular folk singer Arif Lohar. Families can
enter the venue free of charge and enjoy the concert together. Salma Butt said the event
provides residents with an opportunity to enjoy music while learning about food safety.

She added that the authority’s restaurant star-rating system encourages restaurants to improve
hygiene and food quality. These efforts aim to protect public health and ensure people across
Punjab have access to safer food.

Source: Punjab Food Authority media update

Razia khan