The federal government has decided to take strict action against those edible oil and ghee manufacturers who are selling sub-standard products in the market.
In this regard, a countrywide campaign is being launched from June 15 to check if the standard of cooking oil and ghee are in conformity with the standards set by Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA). The Ministry of Industries and Production had launched a similar campaign a few years ago but no action had been taken against a single manufacturer.
The ministry issued a press release on Thursday saying that the government has observed that some cooking oil and ghee manufacturers are not conforming to the standards laid down by the PSQCA.
These non-conformities include non-fulfilment of standard requirements specified for quality, packing quantities, packing material etc. These non-conformities are resulting in confusion and quality concern amongst the general public, the ministry observed.
"All the cooking oil and ghee manufacturers and Pakistan Vanaspati Manufactures Association (PVMA) are warned to eliminate all the major or minor non-conformities and ensure the observance of Pakistan standards for manufacturing their products laid down by the PSQCA, by June 15," the press release further said.
Some of the standards covers the requirements for flexible pouches made of thermoplastic films or their combinations with other flexible materials used for the retail packing of Vanapsti, ghee, cooking oil and edible oils, the net quantities 100 g, 200g, 500g and 1 kg and net quantities of cooking oil/edible oils 100 ml, 200 ml, 500 ml, and 1 litre.
PS. 4773-2002-Specifies the requirement of 16kg, 10kg, 5kg, 4.5 kg, 2.5 kg 1kg, (or litre) round and square tins, used for packing of ghee, Vanaspati, cooking oil and edible oils including bakery shortening, PS. 221-2003 - Prescribes the general requirements and methods of sampling & test of Vanaspati. PS.2858-2003-Prescribes the requirements and methods of sampling and test for cooking oil (blended).