Punjab Food Authority Licensing
What this domain covers
The legal framework: the Punjab Food Authority Act 2011 and the Punjab Pure Food Regulations 2018. PFA regulates food manufacture, processing, storage, distribution, sale and import across Punjab, and no food business may operate without a valid licence or registration.
Core rules
- A licence is issued for a specific business, premises and activity. It is not transferable and does not cover a second branch.
- Apply before trading, with: applicant CNIC, business details, full address and premises layout, water source, waste disposal arrangements, product list, and staff medical/food-handler certificates.
- A Food Safety Officer may inspect the premises; structure, hygiene, water, storage and pest control are assessed before approval or at renewal.
- The licence must be displayed at the premises and renewed before its expiry date.
- Any change of owner, address or product line must be notified and the licence updated.
- Operating without a licence, or beyond its scope, is an offence: PFA can issue a notice, impose a fine, seal the premises and prosecute.
Worked example
A home cook starts taking online orders for biryani from her kitchen. Reasoning: preparing and selling food to the public is a food business even from home, so a PFA licence or registration is required for that address. She must apply with the kitchen layout, water source, waste plan and staff medical certificates, and pass inspection before trading. Selling first and applying later exposes her to enforcement action.
Compliance habits
Keep purchase invoices for traceability, staff medical certificates, temperature logs and cleaning records; these are the first documents an inspector asks for.
Traps
- Assuming a licence for one outlet covers a second outlet.
- Trading while the application is still pending.
- Forgetting renewal and continuing after expiry.
- Keeping no record of suppliers.