The Food Authority and Its Legal Frameworks: An Analysis in the Context of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

This study explored the legal frameworks and institutional mechanisms regarding food safety in the context of Punjab and particular focusing on the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) as well as its regulatory role. Food safety is still a concern with contamination, adulteration and lack of proper implementation of laws governing the food production. The legal framework for the safety of food that has been passed in 2011 in the Punjab and is popularly known as the Punjab Food Authority Act 2011 that was formulated with an objective to check food safety norms and conduct fundamental inspection in Punjab. However, under this Act, a gap found is that there is no special court established to handle food safety offenses that leads to poor enforcement. The present research uses the qualitative doctrinal research approach, which involves analyzing statutes, regulations, and case law as primary data sources in addition to secondary data from academic and governmental literature. The developed study identifies that the Punjab Food Authority has raised inspections, fines and enforcement actions from 2023 to 2024; however, remain difficulties like delays in legal processes and limited capability of existing courts. It also considers the need for establishment of food courts of specialized nature in other to enhance trials as well as the efficiency of enforcement of food laws. Further, it suggests the improvement of the current legal acts, their alignment with the best practices worldwide, increasing the importance of food safety and raising the degree of awareness among the population as well as the capacities among the public. The resultants facts seem to indicate that with these legal and institutional disparities attended, Punjab can enhance food safety indicators; control the effects of nasty conscience on public health; and protect the requirements of nourishment safety standards both national and global.