The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) conducted a raid on a ketchup unit in Tarlai. The operation resulted in the seizure and destruction of 600 kg of unhygienic ketchup, 130 kg of sweetener, and various artificial colors. This blog post will explain the legislation on food adulteration in Pakistan.

What is Adulterated Food?

Food that has been altered or contaminated by reducing its quality, safety or purity is known as adulterated Food. This can occur due to the following factors:

• Use of unsafe, expired, or decomposed materials.
• Addition of harmful substances like chemicals and dyes.
• Removal of valuable ingredients, such as watering down milk.

RELATED: Laws Prohibiting Unhygienic Food in Pakistan in 2025

General legislation on Food Adulteration in Pakistan:

Various provisions related to food adulteration are found in Pakistan’s general legislations as discussed below:

Pakistan Penal Code, 1860:

Sections 272 to 276 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 address offenses related to adulterated food and drink. The exact wording of these sections is provided below:

272. Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale:

Whoever adulterates any article of food or drink, so as to make such article noxious as food or drink, intending to sell such article as food or drink, or knowing it to be likely that the same will be sold as food or drink, snail be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to [three thousand rupees], or with both.

273. Sale of noxious food or drink:

Whoever sells, or offers or exposes for sale, as food or drink, any article which has been rendered or has become noxious, or is in a state unfit for food or drink, knowing or haying reason to believe that the same is noxious as food or drink, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, of with fine which may extend to [three thousand rupees], or with both.

274. Adulteration of drugs:

Whoever adulterates any drug or medical preparation-in such a manner as to lessen the efficacy or change the operation of such drug) or medical preparation, or to make it noxious intending that it shall be sold or used for, or knowing it to be likely that it will be sold or used for, any medicinal purposes, as if it had not undergone such adulteration, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to [three thousand rupees], or with both.

275. Sale of adulterated drugs:

Whoever, knowing any drug or medical preparation to have been adulterated in such a manner as to lessen its efficacy, to change its operation, or to render it noxious, sells the same, or offers or exposes it for sale, or issues it from any dispensary for medicinal purposes as unadulterated, or causes it to be used for medicinal purposes by any person not knowing of the adulteration, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to [three thousand rupees], or with both.

276. Sale of drug as a different drug or preparation:

Whoever knowingly sells, or offers or exposes for sale, or issues from a dispensary for medicinal purposes, any drug or medical preparation, as a different drug or medical preparation, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to [three thousand rupees], or with both.

Provincial Legislation on Food Adulteration in Pakistan:

At the provincial level in Pakistan, food safety has been given significant attention through laws derived from the West Pakistan Pure Food Ordinance, 1960. Over time, each province has enacted its legislation to address modern food safety challenges. The provincial statutes related to food safety are listed below:

Islamabad:

The Islamabad Capital Territory Food Safety Act of 2021 is a significant enactment concerning the regulation and monitoring of food safety in the federal territory of Pakistan. This Act imposes an obligation on the food authority to ensure food hygiene and seal all food outlets involved in the business of adulterated food.

Punjab:

The Punjab Food Authority Act, 2011, empowered the government to establish the Punjab Food Authority (PFA), which is the key agency in governing and overseeing food businesses. The primary duties of the PFA include enforcing hygiene and safety standards, sealing unsafe food outlets, conducting inspections, and imposing penalties on violators. Additionally, detailed technical guidelines on labeling, packaging, preservatives, and overall food hygiene are provided by the Punjab Pure Food Rules, 2011.

Sindh:

After the enactment of the Sindh Food Authority Act, 2016, the Sindh Food Authority (SFA) was established with the primary aim of overseeing the storage, sale, manufacturing, and distribution of food items across the province.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the introduction of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority Act, 2014, has revolutionized public safety with respect to standard food and drink. This Act addresses food safety not only but also incorporates halal certification. The KP Food Safety and Halal Food Authority is authorized to ensure that food products meet both health and religious standards and it has the power to inspect markets, food outlets, and production units.

Balochistan:

Balochistan also enacted the Balochistan Food Authority Act, 2014. This Act performs the same regulatory functions in Balochistan as the aforementioned acts do in other provinces.  

Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority Act, 1996:

The Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) was established under the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority Act, 1996, to regulate food quality and safety at the national level. The PSQCA plays a vital role in standardizing food production processes, labeling, and packaging for consumer use. It operates under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Conclusion:

Pakistan is among the countries that do not compromise on food safety. The first key legislation against adulteration of food was enacted in 1960 by the title Pure Food Ordinance, which was later followed by various acts in the provinces. It means Pakistan is committed to ensuring the safety of its people with regard to standard food.