Authorities in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) have flagged 32 commonly consumed food products, including flour and cooking oils, as substandard, raising serious public health concerns in the region.
According to the GB Food Department, recent testing conducted by the Drug, Food and Water Testing Laboratory revealed that a variety of essential food items did not meet safety standards. Officials warned that continued consumption of these low-quality products could lead to severe health issues, including cancer and heart disease.
Samples of various food items, such as wheat, flour, and edible oils, were tested by the lab in collaboration with the Drug Control Administration. The laboratory results confirmed the presence of substandard ingredients in 32 products.
In response, reports have been forwarded to the relevant departments to take immediate action in curbing the sale and distribution of these harmful products in the region.
Dr. Junaid Akhtar, Chief Drug Inspector and Director of the Drug, Food and Water Testing Laboratory, stated that efforts are also underway to monitor the distribution of substandard medicines. “We’ve launched inspections across hospitals and pharmacies to ensure public access to safe medicines,” he said.
He further noted that, previously, food samples had to be sent to major cities like Karachi and Lahore for analysis, causing delays of up to three months. The recent establishment of a local testing laboratory has significantly reduced the turnaround time, allowing for faster intervention against unsafe food items.
Dr. Akhtar emphasized the urgent need to educate the public about the health risks associated with consuming low-quality food and urged residents to avoid purchasing the listed products.
Health experts have long warned that the influx of poor-quality food into GB, which lacks a local food industry and relies heavily on imports from other parts of Pakistan, has contributed to the rising incidence of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal illnesses. There are also concerns that some of these products may be counterfeit, possibly imitating the branding of legitimate companies.
Calls are now growing for stricter regulation and more robust supply chain monitoring to safeguard public health in the region.
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GB was always obtaining food items from other parts of country. What’s new in it. Testing of food in Lahore or Karachi may even show worst results.