Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), in collaboration with Nestlé Pakistan, has organized a national conference on ‘Food Safety and Harmonization: shaping a Healthier Nation’ as food regulations still be split in Pakistan, causing barriers to trade between provinces and the federal level, and leading to increased complexity that adversely affects foreign investment.

A renowned expert and outgoing chairperson of Codex Alimentarius Commission Awilo Ochieng Pernet, has highlighted science-based harmonized regulation for Pakistan. For the very first time, such an authority has come to Pakistan to meet both provincial and federal officials to discuss harmonization.

Chairman of PCSIR Dr. Shahzad Alam, said that Harmonization of food safety law based on scientific principles, in accordance with CODEX benchmarks and rules, will lead towards the advancement of exchange and safety of consumers. In Pakistan, it is a need of time for creating uniform sustenance measures at national level as per globally accepted procedures.

Head of Corporate Affairs, Waqar Ahmad commented that to certify uniformity in standards, quality, and competitiveness, food-related law should be harmonized by one law developed with accord of all investors, together with federal and provincial governments and private sector.

The conference themed high importance to all investors including government, civil society, and private sector. Scientists, academia, researchers, policymakers, and enforcement agencies from all over Pakistan have attended the event. This conference has organized door for harmonization of food standards in Pakistan, permitting food industry to make food as per international standards develop a culture of safe food in Pakistan and also to increase exports.