Lahore (Web Desk/Agencies): Accepting Gourmet Bakery and Gourmet News Network (GNN) administration’s apology, Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) on Wednesday ordered Punjab Food Authority (PFA) to examine all varieties of foods prepared by Gourmet Bakery.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard GNN’s campaign case against PFA in Supreme Court Lahore Registry.
Owners of GNN group, Sheryar Chattha and Zulqarnain Chattha appeared before CJP and sought unconditional apology.
During the hearing CJP, Main Saqib Nisar accepted GNN’s administration apology on the condition that channel would say sorry to PFA officer during prime time broadcasting.
“Court gives verdict on the basis of merit instead of any pressure,” Justice Saqib Nisar remarked during the hearing. “Your food is unhygienic and causing liver disease. Gourmet Bakery’s water first sample was not purified.” He added.
“We have improved most of foods qualities following PFA directions and will not give any chance of complaint in future,” Shahyar Chattha said in response.
DG PFA Captain retired Muhammad Usman said: “Laboratory test proved Gourmet food items do not meet standards of healthy foods.”
Earlier, the SC ordered to shut down ice cream units of Gourmet Food across the province.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar passed the orders while hearing an application filed by Punjab Food Authority (PFA) Director General Muhammad Usman at the Supreme Court Lahore Registry.
During the hearing, PFA DG apprised that harmful bacteria was found in samples of ice cream produced by Gourmet. He said that the authority had seized existing stock at Gourmet outlets, which was later disposed of.
Usman said that 47 samples were failed to meet the standards of Punjab Pure Food Regulations out of 156 samples.
He said the products of Gourmet, Chamman, Royal and Badami Kulfa were included in the list of failed category. He further said that PFA declared failed products unfit for human consumption and PFA was now removing their products from market. The samples were collected in September 2018.
The DG informed the court that GNN news channel, which was owned by the Gourmet group, started a “character assassination” campaign against him after the operation against the brand’s ice cream.
At this, the chief justice observed that such a campaign was equal to contempt of court, suggesting that the channel should be shut down.
The court also summoned owners of Gourmet Food and GNN News channel for Wednesday (today), besides director general of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority.
