Provinces agree on uniform standards for packaged food.

Byline: Kalbe Ali

ISLAMABAD -- The provinces have finally agreed over the establishment of uniform standards for food and other consumer items across the country with the condition that enforcement will be the responsibility of respective provincial authorities.

The decision was taken at the Council of Common Interests (CCI) recently. All provinces agreed to have a uniform standard of food and other consumer products, set by the Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), an attached department of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST).

Meanwhile the federal government has agreed to give up the power of enforcement and monitoring of standards allowing the provincial government and food authorities to implement the standards.

An official of the MoST said further discussions will be held at the CCI to discuss the criteria and terms for enforcement of the standard in its next meeting.

After the 18th Amendment, provinces - mainly Punjab - initiated the process of formulating their own quality standards by not accepting the role of PSQCA as the sole body for registering, monitoring and implementing consumer items.

However it has been decided that PSQCA would continue to formulate or adopt standard for consumer items and the provinces and their respective food authorities will enforce them.

There were serious complaints from various sectors due to several food standards in the countries as ghee and oil manufacturing industry, dairy industry, packed spices industry and other food processing industries are currently facing supply risks due to absence of harmonised...