ISLAMABAD, September 3: Tetra Pak has called for urgent reforms in Pakistan’s food safety, taxation and food infrastructure systems, saying stronger food processing, storage and distribution networks are essential to improve access to safe, nutritious and affordable food.
Speaking at a two-day policy dialogue in Islamabad on Pakistan’s growing malnutrition and child stunting challenges, Noor Aftab, Director Corporate Affairs for Pakistan, Middle East, North and West Africa at Tetra Pak, stressed the need for coordinated action among policymakers, development organisations and private sector stakeholders.
The event brought together global development experts, government representatives and industry leaders to discuss solutions for Pakistan’s nutrition crisis, where four out of every 10 children under five are affected by stunting.
Aftab said Pakistan’s nutrition challenge was not only linked to food availability but also to ensuring that nutritious products remain safe, affordable and accessible to consumers.
“Food safety is the critical middle of the food system,” he said, highlighting the importance of processing, packaging, logistics, storage and transportation in ensuring that food reaches people safely.
Call for food safety and tax reforms
Aftab urged reforms in food safety regulations to support the production and supply of safe, scalable and nutritious food products.
He also called for fiscal and taxation measures that could help reduce pressure on essential food items, particularly amid inflation and declining consumer purchasing power.
He said nutritious food products could only create meaningful impact if they were safe, affordable and supported by efficient supply chains.
Dairy sector seen as key growth opportunity
Highlighting Pakistan’s dairy industry, Aftab said the sector could play an important role in improving nutrition, supporting farmer incomes, strengthening food security and expanding future export opportunities.
Pakistan is among the world’s largest milk producers, but milk productivity remains below levels achieved in leading dairy markets, he said.
Aftab said improving farm-level productivity, expanding processing capacity and strengthening food safety systems could unlock greater economic potential for the dairy sector.
“Higher productivity, combined with greater processing capacity and stronger food safety systems, could significantly expand the economic potential of Pakistan’s dairy industry,” he said.
Experts call for stronger food systems to tackle malnutrition
The dialogue highlighted the need for improved supply chain incentives, better workforce capabilities and standardised food safety practices across Pakistan.
Participants said addressing malnutrition requires a broader approach that goes beyond food production and focuses on how food is processed, stored, transported and delivered to consumers.
Aftab also highlighted the role of school feeding programmes in improving child nutrition, noting that Tetra Pak has supported school milk initiatives globally since 1962, with millions of children receiving milk and fortified beverages through such programmes.
The discussions concluded that strengthening Pakistan’s food systems through policy reforms, investment and public-private partnerships could help address malnutrition while supporting long-term economic development.