Nearly 36% of packaged ghee, edible oil and milk samples collected from markets across Pakistan have failed to meet national quality standards, according to findings released by the Ministry of Planning. Similarly, 40 out of 146 blended cooking oil samples, or 27%, were found substandard. One out of 13 refined canola oil samples was also declared substandard. The minister said food quality had become a matter of national importance and stressed that ensuring access to safe and healthy food was a government responsibility. Iqbal directed that the next phase of testing should specifically focus on loose edible oil, ghee and milk, which were not covered in the current assessment of packaged products.