Packaging must not carry word ‘milk’: SC

LAHORE: The Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday ordered the powdered and infant formula milk manufactures to mention clearly on packaging that it was a formula diet and not natural milk.

The court gave a time period of six months for imported products and four months to local products for implementation of the orders.

The court also ordered analysis of Nido milk powder ingredients. The bench comprising Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan passed the orders while disposing of applications against the sale of powdered milk as natural milk.

As the proceedings began, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, on behalf of the powdered milk manufacturers association, submitted some drafts for replacing the existing packaging of formula milk products besides referring to international practices in this regard. However, the chief justice observed that it was mandatory to mention on packaging in our society that it was not natural milk.

“We are of candid view that present packaging is deceptive,” he added. The bench then ordered the powdered formula milk manufactures to write clearly on packaging that it was a formula diet and not natural milk. The court also expressed satisfaction and held that no further action was required after it was apprised that the word "milk" had been removed from a Neslte product.