Chinese salt banned in Pakistan over 'health hazards'

ISLAMABAD: Discovering about the health hazards of popular Chinese salt Ajinomoto during a hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has ordered ban on sale of the salt.

The CJP was hearing a suo motu case pertaining to the sale of Ajinomoto or Chinese salt and used cooking oil in the country.

He said the sale of Ajinomoto could not be allowed in view of its health hazards.

In January, Punjab Food Authority (PFA) had banned Ajinomoto after the authority’s scientific panel found it hazardous for health.

Why Ajinomoto is hazardous for health?

According to the findings of the panel, Chinese salt contains monosodium glutamate (MSG) which can cause headaches, fatigue, palpitations, nausea and vomiting, sweating, flushing and numbness of the face, more so among people who are sensitive to it.

It can also cause hypertension and is extremely hazardous for pregnant women, the panel found. The PFA scientific panel recommended banning the usage of Ajinomoto in all eateries, frozen foods, and all other food products.

The authority had issued a deadline of March 31 to bring the use of Chinese salt to a complete halt. Chemically, it is a salt of the amino acid family – Glutamic Acid (glutamate).

Last month, the Sindh government has imposed a ban on import, manufacturing and sale of the same salt after the essential Chinese ingredient was earlier barred in Punjab.

The provincial ministry of interior had issued a notification pronouncing the ban on Wednesday, in concerns that it is hazardous to human health.