Federal Capital Islamabad inhabits more than one million people but its administration has only two food inspectors to check the quality of edibles available in the markets.
A multifaceted strategy is required to ensure hygienic food for the residents of the capital as Capital Development Authority (CDA) defends the matter of things going beyond its control due to lack of food inspectors in its Health Directorate Services.
"We have only two food inspectors to conduct raids and collect samples for ensuring food quality," Health Officer of CDA Dr Khudeja-tul-Kubra remarked, when asked about rising complaints about sale of substandard eatables in the capital.
Dr Khudeja said that there were only three posts of food inspectors sanctioned for Health Directorate Services of the CDA while according to the Municipal bylaws, one food inspector is mandatory for the population of ten thousand.
"Even of the three sanctioned posts, one is lying vacant," she said adding that lack of human resources is hampering the authority's efforts to maintain food standards.
She said the capital territory has been divided into A, B and C zones and Food Inspectors conduct raids on weekly basis. Directorate also conducts raids on receipt of complaints, she added. The Health Officer said that complaints' boxes have also been installed at various hotels, food outlets and sectors to ensure hygienic eatables to the people.
Food Inspector Malik Imran said that his colleagues work from dawn to dusk to check food quality and redress public complaints. He said due to load of work, his colleagues had often to forego their weekly offs.