LAHORE: In a significant ruling, the Drug Court Lahore has ordered authorities to urgently regulate the manufacturing, sale, and quality of baby milk, baby food, infant formula, and related products. The court raised concerns about the lack of oversight for these essential products, widely consumed by infants and young children across Pakistan.
The case was brought forward following a petition that highlighted the health risks posed by substandard and unregistered baby food products, which have allegedly caused serious health issues among infants. Drug Court Chairman Muhammad Naveed Rana pointed out the absence of clear mechanisms for testing or regulating these products, despite existing laws like the Drugs Act 1940, the Drugs Act 1976, and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Act 2012.
The judge expressed concern that no Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL) in Pakistan is currently equipped to analyze the quality of baby milk and related products. He noted that many baby food items contain over 40 ingredients, yet there is no system in place to verify the accuracy of manufacturers’ claims about their contents.
Substandard baby food products have been linked to severe health risks such as malnutrition, weakened immunity, developmental delays, digestive disorders, and contamination, which can harm infants’ health. Despite the existence of laws and regulations, no legal action has been taken against companies or individuals selling substandard or unregistered products, the court said.
The court also emphasized the need for immediate legislation and testing mechanisms to ensure the safety and quality of baby food products. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and other relevant officials were given three months to submit progress reports, with a follow-up hearing set for June 16.
The ruling has prompted calls for urgent action from both federal and provincial health and law ministries to safeguard the health of infants, who are considered the future of the nation.
