Food Standards
Food standards are the foundation of safe, high-quality, and trustworthy agri-food systems. Agro Food Intellect provides expert advisory and regulatory intelligence to help stakeholders understand, interpret, and comply with national and international food standards governing food production, processing, labeling, and distribution.
Food Standards Framework in Pakistan
Pakistan’s food standards system operates through a federal–provincial structure:
Pakistan Standards & Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) develops national food standards covering food composition, additives, contaminants, labeling, packaging, and shelf-life, with mandatory certification for selected products.
Provincial Food Authorities (Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan, Islamabad, AJK, and Gilgit-Baltistan) are responsible for licensing, inspections, sampling, laboratory testing, and enforcement.
Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA) oversees halal standards and certification under PS:3733 – Halal Food Management System.
Core food laws regulate hygiene, sanitation, adulteration, misbranding, storage, transport, and food service operations across provinces.
Key Regulatory Areas
- Food hygiene and sanitation
- Food additives, contaminants, and residues
- Labeling, traceability, and shelf-life
- Halal compliance and certification
- Food testing and laboratory accreditation (ISO/IEC 17025)
International Alignment
Pakistan’s food standards increasingly align with
- Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO)
- ISO 22000 and HACCP
- OIC/SMIIC Halal standards
- Export requirements of the GCC, EU, UK, and other markets
Strategic Gaps and AFI’s Role
Agro Food Intellect addresses food safety gaps through:
- Policy and regulatory advisory
- Harmonization of federal and provincial standards
- OIC/SMIIC Halal standards
- Compliance support for SMEs and exporters
Through science-based guidance and regulatory intelligence, Agro Food Intellect supports safer food systems, fair trade, and improved market access across the agri-food value chain.