Islamabad : In a large-scale crackdown against unsafe milk, the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has inspected over 500,000 dairy points, milk shops, and collection centers across the province since January 1. According to a PFA spokesperson, milk vendors found guilty of adulteration and contamination were fined a total of Rs 267 million.
Pakistan produces approximately 70 billion liters of milk annually, yet the majority of its 124 million consumers still lack access to safe milk. This is because less than 10 percent of the total milk produced is pasteurized before reaching the market. Experts say that over 90 percent of milk in the country is sold as loose milk by traditional vendors, with almost no quality control in place.
Dr. Muhammad Junaid, consultant to the Federal Ministry of National Food Security and Research, told Wealth Pakistan that pasteurization—a process where milk is heated to a specific temperature for a set time to eliminate harmful bacteria—is vital for public health. However, he noted that Pakistan’s pasteurization industry is very small and unable to meet the rapidly growing demand, especially in major cities like Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi.
Dr. Junaid further explained that the high costs of setting up processing plants and the lack of cold chain infrastructure have hindered industry growth. Due to inadequate cooling and transportation systems, raw milk spoils quickly, prompting some middlemen to add harmful substances such as ice, soda, or even formalin to prolong shelf life.
Dr. Shehzad Amin, CEO of the Pakistan Dairy Association (PDA), told Wealth Pakistan that processed milk accounts for less than 10 percent of the country’s total milk consumption. As a result, most people rely on informal sources. He said the formal milk market is not only small but also dominated by a few large companies.
Renowned Lahore-based nutritionist Dr. Ali Haider highlighted that unpasteurized milk contains higher levels of bacteria, causing digestive problems and allergies. He stated that many illnesses related to indigestion and allergies can be prevented by consuming pasteurized milk. Dr. Ali also noted that public perception poses a barrier to the acceptance of packaged milk, as many people prefer loose milk due to the cream that forms on its surface when boiled—a sign they associate with freshness. Packaged UHT milk, which undergoes homogenization, does not form cream, making it less appealing for tea or yogurt preparation among some consumers.
Experts and industry representatives agree that to ensure safe milk supply nationwide, it is crucial to expand pasteurization plants, strengthen cold chain systems, and launch awareness campaigns about the health benefits of processed milk.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
