ISLAMABAD, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered a ban on the sale, import and export of monosodium glutamate salt declaring it is hazardous for health, local media reported on Sunday.
The monosodium glutamate (MSG) is the sodium salt of glutamic acid and is popularly known as Aji-No-Moto in Pakistan. The salt gradually has become an essential product in Pakistani kitchens and it is used in a number of dishes to increase their taste.
According to the reports, a three-member bench headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, while hearing a case against the commodity Saturday, ordered all the top responsible authorities to implement the court's orders immediately.
The chief justice also urged prime minister of the country to take up the issue in the cabinet.
The court was told that the country's three provinces including eastern Punjab, northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southern Sindh have already banned the condiment and are taking measures against its selling.
The court took a Suo Motu notice of the issue after reports about its hazardous effects on human health were surfaced.
In January, the food authority of Punjab had banned the salt after its scientific panel conducted laboratory tests on the commodity and found it hazardous to health.
According to the findings of the panel, monosodium glutamate or Aji-No-Moto is extremely hazardous for pregnant women and it can cause headaches, fatigue, palpitations, nausea and vomiting, sweating, flushing and numbness of the face and hypertension.
The scientific panel recommended banning the usage of the salt in all eateries, frozen foods and all other food products in the country.
