Pakistan lifts ban on import, manufacture of Chinese salt

ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan lifted the ban on the manufacturing and importation of monosodium glutamate or Ajinomoto salt. Following the Japanese government and Ajinomoto’s agitations, there were real complaints regarding this ban.

The ban was first imposed in 2018, by an order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, but the Ministry of Commerce was not a party to the case. Nevertheless, this ministry got court orders and was banned.

According to the Japanese government and Ajinomoto, Pakistan is the only country to place a ban on MSG without scientific backing. In 2020, they filed a review petition, which went unattended.

In response to the Japanese delegation’s request to his authority, the prime minister directed his officials to resolve the matter. A committee comprising experts was set up to consider the health and safety aspects of MSG.

The committee, which includes representatives from several Pakistani institutions, concluded that MSG is a good and safe food additive based on research, scientific data, and recommendations of recognized international organizations, including WHO and FAO.

Following the recommendations of the expert committee and the need to prevent any negative impact on trade and economic relations between Pakistan and Japan, the cabinet ordered the ban on MSG to be lifted. The government might file a review petition against the Supreme Court decision.