Lab report finds 176 substandard samples of oil, ghee and milk

A laboratory assessment has found that 176 out of 491 samples of packaged edible oil, ghee and milk failed to meet national quality standards.

ISLAMABAD: A laboratory assessment has found that 176 out of 491 samples of packaged edible oil, ghee and milk failed to meet national quality standards.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Planning, a total of 491 samples of packaged cooking oil, ghee and milk products were tested. Of these, 315 samples were found to comply with national standards, while 176 were declared substandard.

The ministry said approximately 36% of the tested samples failed to meet the required quality standards.

The assessment showed significant variations across different products. Of the 204 samples of vanaspati ghee tested, 98 were found to be below the required standards.

Similarly, 40 out of 146 samples of blended cooking oil failed the quality assessment, while 26 of 104 samples of packaged liquid milk were declared substandard.

The report also found quality concerns in milk powder, refined palm oil and refined canola oil. Eight of the 18 milk powder samples failed to meet national standards, while three of four refined palm oil samples were found to be substandard.

In the case of refined canola oil, one out of 13 tested samples did not meet the required standards.

The findings have highlighted concerns over the quality of commonly consumed food products and the need for stronger monitoring and enforcement to ensure that packaged edible oils, ghee and dairy products available in the market comply with national quality requirements.