Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) to review the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) report on non-conformance of Banaspati ghee, edible oils and milk products with prescribed quality standards. The committee also reviewed the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) report highlighting a significant disparity between notified LPG rates and prevailing market prices.
The Nutrition Section of the Ministry of Planning briefed the committee that around 491 samples of Banaspati ghee, edible oils and milk products had been collected from locations prescribed by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) across all provinces and analyzed by PCSIR. The PCSIR report found excessive trans-fat levels in 26 Banaspati ghee samples, reaching up to 15.87 grams per 100 grams against the PSQCA limit of 2 grams per 100 grams. Excessive peroxide values were detected in 22 ghee samples, while elevated free fatty acids were found in 15 samples. Vitamin A was not detected in 46 ghee samples. Rancidity and excessive moisture were also detected in some samples.
I n 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. Elevated free fatty acids, rancidity and excessive moisture and volatiles were also detected in several samples. Three out of four refined palm olein samples were found non-conforming.
The milk quality findings 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. The report also identified non-conformities in total ash and fat in two milk powder samples.
The province-wise findings showed significant variations, with 79.4 percent of Banaspati ghee samples in Balochistan, 63.3 percent in Sindh, 58.3 percent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 15.9 percent in Punjab and 5.5 percent in Islamabad Capital Territory failing to meet the prescribed standards. In blended cooking oil, 47.7 percent of samples in Sindh and 46.6 percent 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 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 directed the relevant regulatory authorities to take immediate enforcement measures and stressed the need to establish 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,” the Minister said, calling for regular and systematic testing of food items across the country.
Ahsan Iqbal directed the concerned authorities to develop a coordinated quality-control mechanism with the Provincial Food Authorities of all four nationwide and establish a clear mechanism for dealing with violators . He stressed that when a quality issue is identified, action should be taken against the manufacturer responsible for producing the substandard product, rather than merely targeting retailers. He also expressed that our objective is to improve the quality of eatables and other items which will also enhance our exports.
The Minister also directed that the complete PCSIR report be shared with the M/o NFS&R for necessary action and ordered the establishment of a quarterly monitoring mechanism, with rural markets made an integral part of the monitoring exercise.
“The deficiencies identified in these samples are not merely a matter of nutritional deficiency. High trans-fat levels and the absence of essential vitamins indicate serious shortcomings in the products themselves. 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,” Ahsan Iqbal said.
Addressing the representatives of relevant regulatory authorities, the Minister said they had a shared responsibility to protect public health and maintain 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,” Ahsan Iqbal said.
During the discussion on OGRA’s report regarding the disparity between notified LPG rates and market prices, Ahsan Iqbal observed that nearly 80 percent of the population relies on LPG for household cooking, yet an effective mechanism for monitoring its market price was lacking.
He directed that the Minister for Petroleum take up the matter and that the Ministry of Petroleum formulate clear guidelines in coordination with OGRA. He further directed the Ministry of Petroleum and OGRA to convene a meeting and resolve the issue within three days.
The Minister emphasized that effective coordination among federal and provincial institutions, regular scientific testing and strict enforcement are essential to ensure the availability of safe and quality food products and protect consumers across the country.
