During a recent 2-day dialogue in Islamabad, Noor Aftab, Director of Corporate Affairs at Tetra Pak, addressed Pakistan’s nutrition challenge, emphasizing the need for safe, high-quality, and affordable nutritious products. He called for comprehensive reforms in food-safety laws and taxation to make nutrient-dense foods accessible, particularly amid rising inflation.

Aftab highlighted the dairy sector as a significant opportunity for economic and nutritional improvement, noting that Pakistan’s average milk yields are below global standards and that increased productivity could enhance the industry’s viability. He also pointed to school feeding programs as effective nutrition interventions supported by strong food systems.

The event underscored the alarming statistic that 4 in 10 children under five in Pakistan are stunted and concluded that addressing malnutrition requires improvements in supply chain incentives, workforce capabilities, and standardized food safety measures.