THE silent crisis of micronutrient mal-nutrition plaguing our population deserves the attention of policymakers as there is an urgent need to promote fortified foods. Millions of Pakistani children suffer from stunting, and a large share of our women grapple with chronic anaemia. This hidden hunger is really stealing the physical and mental potential of our future generations.
By adding essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, folic acid, vitamin A and zinc, to daily staples, like wheat flour, salt, edible oil and ghee, we can drastically elevate public health standards without requiring people to change their dietary habits.
While Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have taken steps by introducing mandatory fortification laws, implementation remains fragmented across the country. Legislation alone is not going to be enough; the government must play an active, robust role.
The relevant authorities need to subsidise or facilitate the supply of micro-feeders and premixes for local mills, upgrade regulatory compliance and laboratory testing infra-structure, and crack down on unbranded, loose oil and non-compliant processing.
It is time for our federal and provincial authorities to treat food fortification as a top-level national security and health priority. That being so, strict enforcement of all mandatory laws combined with active government support would ensure that safe, nutrient-rich staple foods reach even the most marginalised households.
Ehtsham Ul Haq Tariq
Multan
Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2026
