Poison on our plates

A disconcerting amount of packaged kitchen staples fail to meet national quality standards. About 48% of all ghee samples analysed by the Ministry of Planning were found to be substandard, along with 75% of refined palm oil, and 44% of packaged milk. Out of 491 samples of different kitchen staples collected from markets across the country, 176 were found non-compliant - an overall failure rate of about 36%.

Despite having decent quality standards in place for decades, the government's enforcement capabilities have always left much to be desired. Poor quality food has been linked with the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases and other non-communicable illnesses, particularly among younger Pakistanis, but the new data shows that the threat may be even larger than previously estimated. For one, the tests only covered "packaged" products - which conventional wisdom says are supposed to be safer, as long as proper safety measures were taken while packing them. Products such as loose milk, unpackaged pulses and meats are notorious for failing hygiene standards and adulteration.

The one bright spot is that most of the failing brands were unknowns, as better-known local and multinational brands seem to have exceeded the minimum standards. This is also proof that the technology and equipment needed to maintain standards are available on the market, and many established companies do go the extra mile to ensure that their reputations are not harmed.

More action needs to be taken against the smaller companies that exploit the system to put profit over safety and comfort. Food safety is not a luxury; it is a basic human right. When 48% of ghee may contribute to heart disease, when more than a third of cooking oil and packaged milk are mis-sold to consumers, this ceases to be merely a consumer protection issue - it becomes a public health emergency. The minister's nationwide survey is the right step, but surveys alone are not enough. What is needed are penalties severe enough to deter offenders, a thorough overhaul of regulatory institutions, and a price for adulteration that no seller is willing to pay.