Pakistan to launch food control system to boost food security, health

February 04, 2025 (MLN): To establish a strategic roadmap for a robust food regulatory system in Pakistan, ensuring food security, public health, and compliance with international trade requirements, the Inception Workshop on Food Control System Assessment was hosted.

This workshop was held in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives (MoPDSI) at the Marriott Hotel, Islamabad.

The event brought together key stakeholders from the government, international organizations, private sector representatives, ministries, and the food industry to discuss the pressing challenges and opportunities in Pakistan’s food safety and quality landscape.

Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister, MoPDSI emphasized the significance of food safety and regulation, highlighting its growing global importance, according to the press release issued.

He stated that Pakistan faces multiple food-related challenges, including malnutrition and foodborne diseases, particularly among children and the general population, making food safety a top priority.

He reaffirmed that ensuring food safety is not only essential for the health and well-being of citizens but is also critical for achieving Pakistan’s economic objectives.

Under Uraan Pakistan, exports will be the key driver of economic growth, and Pakistan, with its vast agricultural potential, can generate significant value from the export of agricultural and food products.

However, he stressed that for Pakistan to fully leverage this potential, its essential not only to understand global food safety certifications, regulations, and standards but also ensure strict compliance.

He called for a collaborative effort among government departments, agencies, and the private sector to identify existing gaps in food safety regulations and practices.

He emphasized the importance of formulating comprehensive action plans and implementing strategies that align Pakistan’s food safety protocols with global best practices.

He expressed confidence that the deliberations from the workshop would result in a clear roadmap, and the forthcoming report would provide a structured path forward for strengthening Pakistan’s food safety framework.

Florence Rolle, FAO Representative in Pakistan, emphasized the importance of strategies that not only enhance public health but also promote economic growth through trade and food security.

She outlined four key international principles of food safety assessment.

The first principle, Primary Consumption Standards, focuses on ensuring food safety from production to consumption.

The second principle, Defined Roles and Responsibilities, involves assigning clear accountability across the entire supply chain.

The third principle, Science-Based Risk Assessment, stresses the need to ground decisions in evidence-based risk analysis.

Lastly, the fourth principle, Supply Chain Transparency, aims to strengthen regulatory frameworks to ensure compliance.

Ahsan Iqbal thanked the FAO for taking the lead in this initiative and reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting efforts to enhance food safety regulations in Pakistan.

The event featured a presentation on the assessment of Pakistan’s food safety regulatory framework by Catherine Bessy, Senior Food Safety Officer, FAO Headquarters, Rome.

She emphasized that food safety and quality are fundamental to citizen well-being and economic development.

Highlighting the impact of foodborne illnesses, she noted that one in five people in Pakistan suffer from such illnesses, twice the global average, leading to an estimated productivity loss of $1.7 billion annually.

Nadia Rahman, a member of the Food Security & Climate Change at the Planning Commission, provided insights into Pakistan’s key food safety challenges and priorities.

She called for stronger collaboration between national and provincial stakeholders, emphasizing the need for partnership-driven solutions to strengthen food security.

She assured full support from the government to enhance food quality regulations.

Major General Ayub Ahsan, Director General, LIMS, emphasized that international trust and transparency are crucial for strengthening Pakistan’s agricultural trade and economic growth.

He highlighted the potential for Pakistan’s premium agriculture products such as mangoes, rice, and citrus to gain a stronger foothold in global markets if stringent food safety standards are effectively implemented.

The event concluded with a strong commitment from all participants to work collectively in advancing Pakistan’s food safety and quality regulatory framework, ensuring compliance with global food safety standards, strengthening trade opportunities, and protecting consumers.

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