Nestlé Pakistan and PCSIR Host National Conference on World Food Safety Day 2026

Lahore, Pakistan — Nestlé Pakistan, in collaboration with the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), the Pakistan Society of Food Scientists and Technologists (PSFST), the University of Punjab, and Noor International University (NIU), hosted a high-level national conference to mark World Food Safety Day 2026. This year’s theme — “From Burden to Benefit: Safe Food for All” — set the tone for a dialogue aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s food safety ecosystem.
The event brought together senior government officials, food regulators, academics, industry leaders, and students. Key attendees included Dr. Kiran Khurshid, Secretary of the Punjab Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department, and Jason Avanceña, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Pakistan, alongside senior representatives from the Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan Food Authorities, as well as the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).
Speaking at the event, Jason Avanceña stated: “At Nestlé, food safety is not merely a priority — it is the foundation of our business and our foremost responsibility to consumers.”
Discussions covered critical issues including food safety standards, traceability, quality assurance, nutritional labelling, and consumer awareness. Participants called for science-based, locally adaptable strategies aligned with Codex Alimentarius principles. A broad consensus was reached in favour of a Front-of-Pack Nutritional Labelling (FOPNL) model — drawing from the US FDA framework — that uses clear, simple indicators rather than warning symbols to help consumers make informed choices.
Dr. Ejaz, Director General of PCSIR, emphasized the central role of research in building robust food safety systems, while provincial food authority representatives stressed the need for stronger enforcement, inter-agency coordination, and continuous public engagement — particularly regarding risks associated with unpackaged food.
The conference reaffirmed that building a strong and sustainable food safety culture in Pakistan is a collective responsibility shared by government, regulators, academia, industry, and consumers alike.