The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has taken action against a mart operating at a motorway rest area over alleged overcharging and the sale of fake and expired food products, highlighting growing concerns about consumer safety and pricing at highway facilities.
According to the reported complaint, an item carrying a price of Rs50 was allegedly being sold for Rs150, raising questions about excessive pricing and the treatment of motorists who rely on motorway service areas for essential food and beverages.
During the inspection, PFA officials reportedly discovered expired and counterfeit food items being offered for sale. The authority subsequently sealed the mart and initiated action over the alleged violations.
The operation reflects the PFA’s continuing efforts to improve food safety standards at restaurants, marts and other food outlets serving travellers. Motorway service areas receive large numbers of customers every day, making proper storage, product quality and transparent pricing particularly important.
PFA enforcement teams have previously taken action against several motorway food outlets after discovering expired ingredients, poor storage conditions, low-quality cooking oil and hygiene violations. In one earlier operation, multiple restaurants and food outlets at motorway service areas were sealed for violations of Punjab’s food safety regulations.
The authority has repeatedly stressed that businesses selling food must comply with applicable safety standards and should not compromise consumers’ health by offering expired or substandard products.
The latest action also sends a warning to motorway businesses against exploiting travellers through excessive prices or unsafe food sales. Authorities are expected to continue inspections of service areas to identify businesses violating food safety requirements.
Consumers who encounter suspected food-safety violations or unfair practices can report them to the relevant authorities for investigation and enforcement.
