ISLAMABAD: A damning government assessment released Friday has exposed a widespread food safety crisis in Pakistan, with 48% of ghee samples, 75% of refined palm oil samples, and 44% of packaged milk samples found to be substandard and potentially hazardous to human health.
The revelations underscore mounting concerns that contaminated food products are contributing to escalating rates of cardiovascular disease across the nation.
The Ministry of Planning commissioned the comprehensive testing initiative, which analyzed 491 samples of edible oils, ghee, and milk products collected from markets nationwide. Testing was conducted at the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) laboratory, with findings compiled by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).
Breakdown of Contaminated Products
| Product Category | Samples Tested | Failed Samples | Non-Compliance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanspati Ghee | 204 | 98 | 48% |
| Blended Cooking Oil | 146 | 40 | 27% |
| Packaged Liquid Milk | 104 | 26 | 25% |
| Milk Powder | 18 | 8 | 44% |
| Refined Palm Oil | 4 | 3 | 75% |
| Refined Canola Oil | 13 | 1 | 8% |
| Overall Results | 491 | 176 | 36% |
Rising Prices Compound the Crisis
The quality failures arrive amid a sharp increase in cooking oil costs, with prices now reaching Rs 620 per kilogram—a development that leaves Pakistani consumers caught between affordability concerns and food safety risks.
The dual pressures of escalating prices and contaminated products have intensified public anxiety about household food security.
Government Response and Regulatory Gaps
The findings were presented during a meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC), chaired by Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal.
The committee, tasked with monitoring quality and price trends of essential commodities, received the report as evidence of systemic regulatory failures in preventing food adulteration and ensuring market compliance with national standards.
The assessment highlights critical gaps in enforcement by relevant food regulatory agencies, raising questions about oversight mechanisms and the adequacy of market surveillance operations.
The discovery that more than one-third of tested samples fail to meet prescribed national standards signals a breakdown in quality control across Pakistan’s food supply chain.
Public Health Implications
Health officials warn that substandard cooking oils and ghee—often contaminated with harmful substances or adulterated with inferior ingredients—can trigger serious cardiovascular complications, including heart attacks and chronic heart disease.
The prevalence of such products in ordinary markets suggests that a substantial portion of Pakistan’s population may be unknowingly consuming health-threatening food items.
The government has not yet announced immediate remedial measures or enforcement actions against manufacturers and distributors of non-compliant products.
