The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has banned the use of substandard polypropylene woven sacks for food packaging, citing serious health hazards. Reusing cement bags for flour and other edibles can cause diseases, including cancer.
Justice Azam Khan directed the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to start a nationwide enforcement drive within 30 days. The court emphasized strict action against non-compliant sacks.
The judgment orders the PSQCA to identify, seize, and take legal action against the manufacture, storage, sale, and transportation of polypropylene sacks used in food packaging that lack the mandatory PS Mark under PS: 3128 standards.
The ban also applies to kraft paper sacks originally used for cement. Cement sacks not meeting PS: 4877 standards must not be reused in the food supply chain. The court warned that violators will face criminal cases and arrests, not just fines.
The enforcement extends to distributors, warehouses, and transporters dealing in substandard sacks. Authorities were instructed to ensure compliance regardless of the business license of the end-user.
The federal Ministry of Food, along with provincial governments, must coordinate and strictly implement the ruling. Chief Secretaries and Food Authorities in all provinces are responsible for action in their regions.
The court stressed the economic impact of defective sacks. Annual losses range between Rs23 and Rs38 billion, with cumulative losses over the past eight years exceeding Rs80 billion. The situation was termed a serious threat to food security and public health.
PSQCA and the Ministry of Food are required to submit a detailed compliance report within 90 days. The court described the continued use of substandard sacks as a violation of citizens’ fundamental rights, including life, dignity, and economic welfare.
The ruling highlights the importance of proper food packaging standards to protect public health and maintain trust in the food supply chain. Strict enforcement is now mandatory to prevent further hazards.
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