SFA, WFP sign MoU to fortify wheat flour for vulnerable population

The Sindh Food Authority and the World Food Programme joined hands to fortify wheat flour in Sindh. The Sindh Food Authority (SFA) and the World Food Programme (WFP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during a ceremony at a local hotel on Tuesday to implement the “Fortification of Whole Wheat Flour through Small-Scale Mills (Chakkis)” project in Sindh.

This initiative aims to enhance the nutritional health of vulnerable populations by ensuring access to wheat flour fortified with essential micronutrients.

The project, part of the WFP’s Pakistan Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023–2027, will initially be rolled out in eight districts of Sindh: Karachi Central, Karachi East, Malir, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Khairpur, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Naushero Feroz.

The MoU was signed by Director General SFA Muzammil Hussain Halepoto and Ms Coco Ushiyama, Representative and Country Director, WFP Pakistan, reaffirming their shared commitment to improving nutritional health in Sindh.

Under this collaboration, the SFA will oversee project implementation, support Chakki registration, advocate for the expansion of fortification efforts, and ensure compliance with food safety regulations through regular inspections and monitoring. The WFP will provide technical support, including the installation of micro-feeders at Chakkis, the supply of essential fortification premixes, and capacity-building for Chakki staff on quality control and fortification standards.

The partnership also includes establishing a Chakki Flour Fortification Alliance to ensure a steady supply of premixes and raising public awareness about the importance of fortified wheat flour consumption. This initiative aligns with the Government of Sindh’s commitment to addressing food insecurity, malnutrition, and stunting in the province.

The project’s broader vision includes strengthening the capacity of government regulatory bodies to enforce compliance with fortification standards and ensuring the sustainability of the initiative. By improving access to fortified flour, this partnership seeks to address health challenges caused by micronutrient deficiencies, contributing to a healthier and more resilient population.

Meanwhile, the SFA hosted the inaugural meeting of its 20-member Scientific Panel on Oil and Ghee in Karachi on Tuesday. The meeting marked a significant step towards ensuring food safety, enhancing quality standards, and addressing key challenges in the oil and ghee sector.

The representatives from the Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan food authorities, along with food experts from various universities and industry representatives, actively participated in the discussions. The panel, established on 8th November 2024, reviewed critical issues related to safety, packaging, and quality in oil and ghee production and distribution.

The session started with welcome remarks by conveyer Dr Ahmad Ali Shaikh, Director Technical SFA, who briefed the participants with the agenda of the meeting.

The panel emphasized banning the sale of unpackaged, loose oil in retail markets due to its potential health hazards. Recommendations included implementing strict packaging regulations and mandatory nutritional labelling on all oil and ghee products to promote consumer awareness and safety.

The meeting also focused on bulk oil procurement practices by industries such as snack and Nimco manufacturers. The panel raised concerns about the lack of compliance with food safety standards in such practices and proposed introducing a certification process for bulk oil suppliers, alongside regular inspections to ensure hygiene and quality control.

Another critical concern addressed was the non-compliance with trans-fat regulations. Samples from various industries revealed trans-fat levels exceeding the permissible 2% limit. The panel recommended immediate reformulation of products, awareness campaigns for industries, and stringent penalties for violators to enforce adherence to trans-fat standards.

Director General SFA Muzammil Hussain Halepoto emphasized that the panel’s recommendations would form the basis for future regulatory actions. He reiterated the SFA’s commitment to protecting public health and ensuring the availability of safe, high-quality edible oil and ghee products in the province.

Halepoto also highlighted the recent signing of an MoU between the SFA and the WFP. The project focuses on mitigating malnutrition by enhancing wheat flour with essential nutrients.

He further pointed out that the unchecked sale of open cooking oil poses severe risks to public health. The SFA is actively working to curb practices such as repeated use of the same oil in industries, ensuring stricter enforcement of food safety regulations.