Inefficient Packaging: PPWSMA Urges Government to Combat Atta Waste
Headline: Urgent Action Needed: The Ticking Time Bomb of Wheat Flour Wastage in Pakistan
Have you ever eaten a simple roti with onions or chilies? For millions of Pakistanis, that's their only meal. But why are so many still struggling with food insecurity? The answer lies in the substandard packaging of their staple food – wheat flour, or Atta.
The Pakistan Polypropylene Woven Sack Manufacturers Association (PPWSMA) has brought this pressing issue to light by appealing to the Minister for National Food Security and Research. In a recent letter, the Association's Chairman, Iskandar Khan, reminded the Minister of the grim reality facing over 11 million Pakistanis who endure food insecurity.
"We're facing a ticking time bomb here," Khan stated, "With wheat flour being the nation's staple food, it's heartbreaking to see so much of it wasted due to poor-quality, non-food grade packaging."
Since the Food and Agriculture Organization enacted S.R.O. 46(KE)/2017 on May 19, 2017, the use of PSQCA-licensed, environmentally friendly, recyclable, and food-grade polypropylene sacks is required for wheat flour packaging. However, non-compliance with this regulation has led to annual losses of Rs 594 billion over the past seven years, according to the PPWSMA.
Inferior packaging can result in spillage, dusting, contamination, and excessive waste. Unfortunately, the government's lack of enforcement has allowed continued use of subpar packaging. This translates to up to half a kilogram of flour wasted per 20kg or 10kg bag, directly contributing to the food insecurity crisis.
However, there's hope on the horizon. The PPWSMA estimates enforcing S.R.O. 46(KE)/2017 and switching to certified polypropylene woven sacks could save roughly Rs 75 per 20kg sack and Rs 37.50 per 10kg sack. More significantly, this change could yield an estimated annual savings of Rs 67.2 billion. The costs associated with certified sacks are relatively minimal, making compliance an economically sound choice.
To address this urgent matter, the PPWSMA is advocating for the government to enforce S.R.O. 46(KE)/2017 uniformly across all provinces, promote the use of certified polypropylene woven sacks, and put a stop to the massive Atta wastage that fuels food insecurity in Pakistan.
Khan concluded, "Food insecurity affects the livelihood and nutrition of millions in our country. Ensuring the quality and safety of Atta is crucial. The time to act is now."
It's time for the government to take action and put an end to this costly food wastage. The health and future of our nation depend on it.
The value of enforcing S.R.O. 46(KE)/2017 to improve the quality of wheat flour packaging in Pakistan's industry could potentially save Rs 67.2 billion annually, as estimated by the Pakistan Polypropylene Woven Sack Manufacturers Association (PPWSMA). In the realm of finance, the switch to certified polypropylene woven sacks could result in significant savings of Rs 75 per 20kg sack and Rs 37.50 per 10kg sack.
