FAO warns that most Pakistanis cannot afford a nutritious diet

The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation released a report calling for a fundamental transformation of Pakistan's agrifood system to close the gap between food supply and the requirements of the national food-based dietary guidelines. It found that more than six in ten Pakistanis cannot afford a diet that meets these standards, contributing to persistent undernutrition and a surge in diet-related non-communicable diseases.

Key recommendations include updating the dietary guidelines, introducing taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and other unhealthy foods, mandating front-of-pack nutrition labels, restricting marketing to children, and expanding school meal programmes. The FAO also urges greater support for the production of vegetables, fruits, pulses, roots, tubers, and milk, alongside incentives for food processors to lower salt, sugar, and fat content. Investments in storage, cold chains and market infrastructure are suggested to reduce losses and improve retail environments.