RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Smart Food Licensing System (SFLS) devised by Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) for Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has successfully collected over Rs77 million in food license fee during the past 7 months. The system was launched in April this year. So far 38,424 applications have been received and 9,386 Smart Food License Cards issued while remaining applications are under process.

In order to maintain food safety standards it is mandatory for any food business operator of any scale to obtain license from PFA to legalize his business. A smartphone application, developed by PITB for PFA is available for free download from play store on iOS and Android phones, which enables the food business operator to apply 24/7 while fee according to the category is deposited in the bank and after necessary verification of the applicant by PFA the bank issues chip based Smart Food License card on behalf of the PFA.

The most important feature of PFA app facilitates any person to lodge complaints related to food adulteration and any violation of food safety standards to maintain food quality, which is highly useful for the general public.

A meeting held between representatives of PITB and PFA regarding the “Smart Food Licensing System” developed by PITB to automate PFA operations focused on streamlining the scope of services covered under the initiative as PFA is rapidly expanding its operations to all 36 districts of the Punjab.