Punjab’s food safety and consumer protection department has halted the supply of old imported wheat to flour mills over quality concerns, directing mills to lift only locally procured wheat until a final decision is made.
In a directive issued on Thursday, the department said the lifting of old imported wheat had been stopped due to quality concerns. It added that the decision regarding imported wheat was pending and would be communicated once finalized.
The move comes months after flour millers raised concerns about the quality of imported wheat being released from government warehouses. Stakeholders said the suspension effectively acknowledges that the old stock may not be suitable for milling, raising questions about earlier assessments that allowed its distribution to continue.
Flour Millers Had Raised Quality Concerns
The department’s latest directive marks a shift from its earlier position. When flour mill owners represented by the Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) raised concerns several months ago, the department said it would take up the matter with the federal government, while distribution continued.
Millers had reported discolored and shriveled grains, insect infestation, and possible fungal growth. At the time, the department maintained that the wheat was within permissible limits and that the complaints were not supported by its assessments.
The latest decision has prompted questions about the basis of those earlier assessments and why the department changed its position after continuing to release the stock for months.
According to millers, imported wheat procured several years ago and stored in open and covered warehouses had deteriorated in appearance, gluten strength, and nutritional value. They said flour produced from the grain was darker, had poor binding properties, and carried an unpleasant smell.
Millers also reported consumer complaints, saying their options were limited because official releases relied largely on older wheat stocks to help meet demand.
Concerns Extend to Locally Procured Wheat
Stakeholders have also raised concerns about locally procured wheat stored in Punjab for two to three years in gunny bags and on open plinths.
They argue that the condition of this stock could be comparable to that of older wheat imported by the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO), and have called for its suitability for human consumption to be assessed.
Stakeholders are seeking a broader review of wheat procurement and storage practices in Punjab, arguing that quality concerns should be examined across both imported and locally procured stocks rather than being limited to PASSCO supplies.
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