Ahsan urges nationwide food quality controls to protect public health, boost exports

ISLAMABAD, Aug 19 (APP): Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday directed relevant regulatory authorities to strengthen enforcement and establish a coordinated nationwide mechanism for food quality and safety.

He stressed that effective quality controls were essential to protect public health and enhance Pakistan’s export potential.

Chairing a meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC), the minister reviewed a Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) report on the quality of Banaspati ghee, edible oils and milk products, besides examining an Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) report on the disparity between notified LPG prices and prevailing market rates, a news release said.

The committee was informed that 491 samples of Banaspati ghee, edible oils and milk products collected from locations prescribed by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) across the country were analyzed by PCSIR.

The report found excessive trans-fat levels in 26 Banaspati ghee samples, with the highest reaching 15.87 grams per 100 grams against the PSQCA limit of 2 grams. Excessive peroxide values were detected in 22 samples, elevated free fatty acids in 15 samples, while Vitamin A was absent in 46 samples. Rancidity and excessive moisture were also detected in some samples.

In blended cooking oil, Vitamin A was not detected in 26 samples, while excessive peroxide values were found in four samples, with the highest value recorded at 76.71 against the prescribed limit of 10.

 Several samples also showed elevated free fatty acids, rancidity, excessive moisture and volatiles. Three of the four refined palm olein samples tested were found non-conforming.

The milk quality assessment showed that all 26 non-conforming packaged liquid milk samples had milk-fat levels below the prescribed standard, while all eight non-conforming milk powder samples had protein levels below the required range.

Non-conformities in total ash and fat were also detected in two milk powder samples.

Province-wise findings showed that 79.4 per cent of Banaspati ghee samples in Balochistan, 63.3 per cent in Sindh, 58.3 per cent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 15.9 per cent in Punjab and 5.5 per cent in Islamabad Capital Territory failed to meet prescribed standards.

Similarly, 47.7 per cent of blended cooking oil samples in Sindh and 46.6 per cent in Balochistan were found non-conforming, while all refined palm olein samples tested in Sindh and Balochistan failed to meet the standards. All packaged liquid milk samples tested in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were also found non-conforming.

Expressing serious concern over the findings, Ahsan Iqbal said the results had validated concerns about the quality of food products available in the market.

“The concerns that we had expressed have unfortunately been proven correct. The alarming increase in early deaths and heart attacks in society is also linked to the consumption of substandard food products,” he said.

The minister directed the relevant regulatory authorities to take immediate enforcement measures and called for a comprehensive national framework for food quality, quantity assurance and safety.

“This is only an assessment of milk and ghee. If we start testing spices and other food products, we may find further serious deficiencies,” he said, stressing the need for regular and systematic testing of food items across the country.

Ahsan Iqbal directed the authorities to develop a coordinated quality-control mechanism with the provincial food authorities and establish a clear mechanism for dealing with violators.

He stressed that once a quality issue was identified, action should be taken against the manufacturer responsible for producing substandard products rather than merely targeting retailers.

“Our objective is to improve the quality of eatables and other items, which will also enhance our exports,” he said.

The minister directed that the complete PCSIR report be shared with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (NFS&R) for necessary action and ordered establishment of a quarterly monitoring mechanism, with rural markets made an integral part of the monitoring exercise.

He said the deficiencies identified in the samples were not merely a matter of nutritional deficiency, as high trans-fat levels and absence of essential vitamins indicated serious shortcomings in the products.

“The unprecedented increase in heart attacks among young people that we are witnessing today is deeply concerning, and one of the major contributing factors is the availability and consumption of substandard food. Unfortunately, the poorest quality products are often reaching rural areas,” he said.

Addressing representatives of the relevant regulatory authorities, Ahsan Iqbal said they had a shared responsibility to protect public health and maintain public confidence in regulatory institutions.

“Our objective is not to close down industries but to improve product quality and ensure that consumers receive safe and quality products,” he said.

During discussion on OGRA’s report regarding the disparity between notified LPG rates and market prices, the minister observed that nearly 80 per cent of the population relied on LPG for household cooking, yet an effective mechanism for monitoring its market price was lacking.

He directed the Minister for Petroleum to take up the matter and asked the Ministry of Petroleum to formulate clear guidelines in coordination with OGRA.

Ahsan Iqbal further directed the Ministry of Petroleum and OGRA to convene a meeting and resolve the issue within three days.

He emphasized that effective coordination among federal and provincial institutions, regular scientific testing and strict enforcement were essential to ensure the availability of safe and quality food products and protect consumers across the country.