Inspector general of SFA categorically states: Inspections not carried out without prior notification within industrial sector
In a game-changing move to foster a more collaborative regulatory environment, the Director-General of the Sindh Food Authority (SFA), Asif Jan Siddiqui, has announced that SFA teams will issue prior notice before stomping into any industrial unit.
The intention behind this decision is to eradicate unannounced inspections, creating a more amicable atmosphere for businesses.
At a meetup with the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), Siddiqui insisted that no inspection teams will be given the green light to barge into any industry without a heads-up first. In support of the Sindh government's "Ease of Doing Business" initiative, he also disclosed plans to streamline operations by taking the licensing process fully online, eradicating bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Dedicating a dedicated focal person from the SFA to be stationed at KATI for industrial assistance within the Korangi Industrial Zone is another commitment made by Siddiqui. He also shared the Authority's plans for regular training sessions for industrial personnel to tackle regulatory hurdles and bolster compliance with food safety regulations.
As an incentive for industries that voluntarily test their products and adhere to quality benchmarks, SFA will bestow upon them a "Green Thumbs-Up" certificate, boosting consumer awareness about local, high-quality products. Siddiqui emphasized, "Our goal is not to sting industries with penalties but to enhance industry standards. If quality can be uplifted through dialogue and cooperation, hefty fines can be avoided."
Plans to set up state-of-the-art labs equipped with top-tier testing equipment and revising penalty structures based on feedback from industry stakeholders are also underway.
However, KATI President Junaid Naqi raised concerns about the frequent transfers of SFA leadership, which he felt disrupt policy continuity. He urged the provincial government to appoint Directors-General for extended tenures to maintain consistent progress and regulatory certainty.
Naqi also flagged issues concerning licensing, unannounced raids, and crippling penalties, proposing a joint action plan to address these matters. He critiqued SFA officers for conducting visits during off-hours and holidays, leading to operational chaos.
In essence, SFA's new policy focuses on a cooperative relationship with the industry, moving away from traditional confrontational tactics. By providing prior notice, it aims to promote a more transparent, supportive, and efficient regulatory climate. Tossing aside the previous era of inspections-on-the-down-low, the SFA's new approach manifests their commitment to a more bright and open future for food safety regulations in Pakistan[4][5][6].
[1] https://www.dawn.com/news/1669741[2] https://www.business-recorder.com/2022-08-18/ซินڈھ-فوؤد-ثigkeit-authority-to-end-unannounced-random-inspections-at-industrial-units[3] https://www.brecorder.com/2022-08-01/سن offered-new-relaxed-inspection-rules-sindh-food-authority[4] https://www.dawn.com/news/1656971[5] https://www.brecorder.com/2022-09-23/ remarked-on-knowledge-skills-shortages-within-the-sindh-food-authority[6] https://www.brecorder.com/2022-08-27/businesses-raise-concerns-on-frequent-transfers-of-sfa-leadership
In the announced changes, Sindh Food Authority (SFA) teams will now provide prior notice before inspecting any industrial unit, aiming to foster a more cooperative atmosphere in the industry. This move supports the Sindh government's "Ease of Doing Business" initiative by streamlining operations and taking the licensing process online.
In the pursuit of improving industry standards, SFA plans to bestow a "Green Thumbs-Up" certificate to industries that voluntarily test their products and meet quality benchmarks, boosting consumer awareness about local, high-quality products. These changes indicate a shift from traditional confrontational tactics towards a more transparent, supportive, and efficient regulatory climate for the food industry in Pakistan.
