Pakistan initiates work on the preparation of national guidelines for production, processing, labelling and marketing of organically produced foods

The final standards, after approval of the competent governmental authority, will be promulgated in Pakistan as a law of the land. PSQCA acknowledges the assistance derived from the Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods (CAC/GL-32*).

An Organic Foods Technical Committee, consisting of scientists and regulators from both pubic and private sector, has been constituted by the PSQCA for this purpose. The Committee members include experts from the governmental departments with representatives from private companies involved in the production, processing, marketing and labeling of organically produced foods in Pakistan.

The aim of the guidelines will be

• to protect consumers against deception and fraud in the market place and unsubstantiated product claims;
• to protect producers of organic produce against misrepresentation of other agricultural produce as being organic;
• to ensure that all stages of production, preparation, storage, transport and marketing are subject to inspection and comply with these guidelines;
• to harmonize provisions for the production, certification, identification and labeling of organically grown produce;
• to provide National guidelines for organic food control systems in order to facilitate recognition of national systems as equivalent for the purposes of imports; and
• to maintain and enhance organic agricultural systems in the country so as to contribute to local and global preservation.

*The Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods were adopted by the 23rd Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 1999 and revised by its 24th Session in 2001. They were subsequently amended by the 26th and 27th Sessions in 2003 and 2004.

Source: This news item was received by Hamid Ahmad, member of the Organic Foods Technical Committee of PSCA

Further information

Contact

• Hamid Ahmad, member of the Organic Foods Technical Committee, jqureshi(at)brain.net.pk

Links

• PSCA.com.pk: Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA)
• FAO.org: Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods