*4.1.4 Establishment of cold chain*

Under traditional system of milk collection and transportation, milk is transported over long distances, often in extreme weather conditions without cold storage facilities. Milk losses due to the lack of cold storage are estimated at about 15–20% of total milk production in some areas according to an Asian Development Bank report [14]. To minimize the effects of transportation on milk quality, the corporate private sector has maintained collection centers and established the cold chain.

## **4.2 Food safety legislation and regulation**

Previously, food safety issues in Pakistan were dealt by the following laws [15]:


 These laws had the capacity to achieve at least a minimum level of food safety; however, they were very poorly enforced.

 As presented earlier, use of growth promoters such as (Boostin®), milk let down facilitators (Oxytocin®), and addition of water to increase physical milk volumes have been very common among the suppliers other than supplying to the dairies.

However, these malpractices have been banned by law (Punjab Pure Food Act, 2011; accessed September 28, 2018) and declining by strict actions of Punjab Food Authority and quality control units of private sectors.

The Punjab Food Authority [16], formed under the Punjab Food Authority Act 2011 and the Pure Food Rules 2011, has been very active since its inception on July 2, 2012 in various districts of Punjab province. The authority aims to ensure food safety & quality in the entire food chain in collaboration with manufacturers, food business operators, consumers, government departments, autonomous bodies, and other stakeholders. The authority issues guideline for the stakeholders related to the food industry, regulates and monitors the food business and certifies food items to ensure compliance with the food standards [16]. The authority also arranges awareness programs and takes part in educating people related to food business. In recent years, remarkable improvements in the keeping quality of milk can be partially attributed to the role of PFA.

A brief overview of PFA is given in Annexure 1. The new regulations [16] and Punjab Pure Food Rules (Punjab Pure Food Act, 2011; accessed September 28, 2018) have clearly stated definitions of various food items including all forms of milk, and explicitly prohibit or limit the use of harmful preservatives, including bacteria inhibitors such as penicillin and formalin, and other substances such as urea, sugar, and glucose. The use of oxytocin or any growth promoters is also prohibited by law. These laws also obligate rules and regulations for dairy processing corporations to provide hygienic milk through regulated quality testing, packaging, storage, distribution, and recalling.

*Current Standing and Future Challenges of Dairying in Pakistan: A Status Update DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83494* 
