Punjab's food safety and consumer protection department has ordered flour mills to cease using old imported wheat, directing them to process only locally sourced wheat while a final ruling is pending.
In a notice released on Thursday, officials said the halt was due to concerns over the wheat's quality and that a decision on imported wheat would be announced once finalized.
The action follows months of complaints from millers about the condition of imported wheat released from government warehouses, suggesting the old stock may be unfit for milling and questioning earlier approvals that allowed its distribution.
Flour Millers Had Raised Quality Concerns
The new notice represents a reversal of the department's previous stance. When the Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) voiced worries several months ago, the department pledged to discuss the issue with the federal government while distribution continued.
Millers described grains that were discolored, shriveled, infested with insects, and possibly affected by fungus. At that time, the department argued the wheat met permissible standards and that the complaints lacked supporting evidence.
This recent move has sparked questions about the earlier assessments and why the department altered its view after months of releasing the stock.
According to millers, wheat imported years earlier and stored in open or covered warehouses showed deterioration in appearance, gluten strength, and nutritional value. They said flour made from it turned out darker, bound poorly, and emitted an unpleasant odor.
Millers also noted consumer complaints, explaining that options were limited because official releases relied heavily on older wheat stocks to satisfy demand.
Concerns Extend to Locally Procured Wheat
Stakeholders have also flagged issues with locally procured wheat kept in Punjab for two to three years in gunny bags and on open platforms.
They argue that this stock may be in a condition similar to the older imported wheat held by the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) and have urged an assessment of its suitability for human consumption.
These parties are calling for a comprehensive review of wheat procurement and storage practices in Punjab, insisting that quality checks should cover both imported and locally sourced wheat rather than focusing only on PASSCO supplies.
