Pakistan’s first Safe Dairy Education Institute to be established at UoS

SARGODHA, Nov 10 (APP): Pakistan’s first Safe Dairy Education Institute would be established at the University of Sargodha to promote safe milk production, improve dairy standards and raise public awareness about food safety.
In this regard, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Punjab Minister for Food Safety and Consumer Protection Salma Butt and Pakistan Dairy Association CEO Dr Shahzad Amin.
The formal ceremony was held at the university’s Multipurpose Hall, where the Safe Dairy Institute declaration was also presented.
Salma Butt attended the ceremony as chief guest, while Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Masood Sarwar Awan, Member of National Assembly Iram Hamid Hameed, Member of Provincial Assembly Mian Ikram-ul-Haq, Pakistan Dairy Association CEO Dr Shahzad Amin and Director Institute of Food Science and Nutrition Professor Dr Mian Anjum Murtaza were among the participants. Faculty members, representatives from various sectors and a large number of students also attended.
Addressing the ceremony, Salma Butt said food safety was a top priority of the Punjab government and no compromise would be made on the quality of food products. She said effective legislation and strict action against adulteration networks were underway.
She said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision was to ensure the provision of safe, quality and nutritious food to the public. The institute would play an important role in promoting safe milk, improving quality standards and encouraging the use of modern scientific methods in the dairy sector.
She said quality and hygiene standards would be ensured at every stage, from milk production to its delivery to consumers. The institute would also promote milk pasteurisation and modern scientific practices to improve public access to safe milk.
The provincial minister stressed the need to extend awareness about safe milk and nutrition from educational institutions to households and society at large.
Professor Dr Masood Sarwar Awan said food security was an important national issue requiring joint efforts by the government, universities and the private sector. He welcomed the establishment of the institute, saying it would support research, education and public awareness.
Other speakers, including Iram Hamid Hameed, Dr Shahzad Amin, Professor Dr Anjum Murtaza, Tanzah Sadaf, Saira Iftikhar, Rana Awais Khan and Dr Farzana Siddiq, also highlighted the importance of safe food, improved milk quality and enhanced capacity of the dairy sector.
The institute’s declaration reaffirmed the commitment to the principle of “Safe Milk, Safe Nation”, aiming to ensure that every child, woman and family in Pakistan has access to safe, nutritious and affordable food.