48% of Ghee Samples Failing Quality Test Prompt Pakistan Planning Minister to Order Nationwide Food Safety Survey.

The Planning Minister announced a nationwide survey after laboratory tests revealed that 48% of vanaspati ghee samples collected from markets failed to meet national quality standards. PCSIR tested 491 product samples across Pakistan, revealing that 176 (36%) did not conform to specifications while 315 passed. Of the ghee tested, 98 out of 204 (48%) failed; 40 of 146 cooking‑oil samples (27%) and 26 of 104 packaged‑milk samples (25%) also did not meet standards. Refined palm oil and milk powder samples also showed non‑conformance. He directed provincial and regional authorities to examine loose, unpackaged edible oil, ghee, and milk on the same basis, citing concerns that the contaminated products could lead to serious heart disease and other non‑communicable illnesses. A technical sub‑committee of experts from the Planning Ministry, PCSIR, and PSQCA was formed to analyse the laboratory findings and make evidence‑based recommendations to the National Price Monitoring Committee.