Adulterated food items

Preventable public health crises rarely announce themselves with sirens. More often, they arrive quietly until the damage is already done. The scourge of adulterated food in Pakistan, particularly fake and synthetic milk and cheese, is one such slow-burning emergency that has been allowed to fester for far too long.

The Lahore High Court's recent decision to deny bail to an accused caught transporting 2,400 litres of adulterated milk is therefore a welcome — and overdue — assertion of judicial seriousness. In a detailed judgment, the court described the situation as presenting a "horrifying picture", refusing to extend leniency to those engaged in the production and supply of what it aptly termed "sweet poison".

The phrase is not rhetorical excess. It is an artificial concoction designed to mimic appearance and taste while maximising profit. Investigations have consistently shown that while its effects may not be immediately fatal, prolonged consumption slowly turns the human body into a breeding ground for disease. Milk is consumed daily across socio-economic classes and is especially critical for children, pregnant women and the sick.

To contaminate it deliberately is an assault on public health. Additionally, from cheese to spices, cooking oil, sweets, meat and even bottled water, food adulteration has become so widespread that it now threatens everyday survival rather than merely consumer choice. These practices may not always cause immediate fatalities, but their cumulative impact is devastating.

Judicial firmness can only go so far. To combat food adulteration meaningfully, enforcement must include sustained oversight. Food authorities require greater autonomy and modern testing laboratories capable of routine, random sampling. Penalties must be severe enough to deter repeat offences rather than being treated as a manageable cost of doing business. Safe food is a basic right and must be provided.