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Shan Foods
Shan Foods
Shan Foods
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Shan Foods is a Pakistani producer of packaged spice mixes, primarily used in South Asian dishes. The privately held company was established in 1981 as a single-room operation by its founder, Sikandar Sultan.[2][3]

Key Information

The company's products include recipe mixes, plain spices, ready-to-cook sauces, cooking pastes, dessert mixes, cooking condiments, accompaniments, and instant noodles.

History

[edit]

Shan Foods was founded in 1981, as a cottage industry operation, operating out of the home of the company's founder Sikander Sultan. He, along with his wife, started making spice mixes at their home, which started selling in Pakistan and with Pakistanis who had moved to the neighbouring Arab countries, Europe, United States and Canada.[4][2]

Controversies

[edit]

In July 2023, the German media reported a ban on some products on the German market by this company due to the alleged presence of Ethylene Oxide, a fumigant and pesticide, which is known to pose serious health hazards as a carcinogen and is banned from food production in Europe. The news was shared by Pakistani politician Khurram Shehzad on his Twitter account which caused a backlash against the company by the general public in Pakistan. In response to this, Ideal Foods Traders GmBH, a German retailer of Asian food products issued a statement to clarify that only specific batches of 12 products from Shan Foods were recalled from the market. Although initially unresponsive to questions from the media, the company officially rejected these claims on its Twitter account as "incorrect and misleading", claiming that its products were safe for consumption and met health and safety standards.[5][6]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Shan Foods

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Shan Foods Private Limited is a Pakistani multinational food company founded in 1981 by entrepreneur Muhammad Sikander Sultan as a small-scale operation in Karachi, specializing in hygienic, packaged recipe mixes and plain spices for authentic South Asian dishes. The company has since expanded into a diverse portfolio of premium food products, including cooking pastes, pickles, chutneys, desserts, instant noodles, frozen foods, lentils, salt, and cooking sauces, all designed to simplify and enhance traditional culinary experiences. Headquartered in Karachi's Korangi Industrial Area, Shan Foods operates state-of-the-art facilities employing cryogenic grinding technology and V-LOCK freshness packaging to ensure product quality and longevity. Committed to global standards, it holds certifications such as ISO 9001:2015 for quality management, ISO 22000 for food safety, BRC Global Standard for food safety, Halal certifications from SANHA and JAKIM, FDA registration, ISO 45001:2018 for occupational health and safety, PSQCA approval, and SEDEX membership for ethical trade. With a vision to become an iconic worldwide culinary brand, Shan Foods now serves consumers in over 75 countries across five continents as of 2025, emphasizing innovation through its modern R&D laboratory equipped with expert staff and advanced tools.

History

Founding and Early Development

Shan Foods was established in 1981 by Muhammad Sikander in , , beginning as a small cottage industry operation from the home. , drawing from his 's culinary traditions, invested an initial Rs 40,000 to produce , which he first sent to his sister in , marking the company's early foray into exports. With just five staff members initially, production was manual and hands-on, conducted in a single room within the 's vegetable garden, where and his wife collaborated on recipe testing and development to ensure quality. This modest setup reflected the company's roots as a venture, emphasizing hygienic of traditional spice blends to meet growing local demand. The company's initial focus was on creating basic spice mixes for popular South Asian dishes, targeting everyday Pakistani consumers while also appealing to the Pakistani diaspora. Early exports were directed toward communities in Arab countries, where the blends quickly gained popularity for evoking authentic home-cooked flavors. Just before Eid-ul-Azha in 1981, Shan launched its first three masala mixes—for hunter beef, tikka seekh, and karahi gosht—using family-shared recipes to capture the essence of traditional Pakistani cuisine. These products prioritized natural ingredients and precise formulations, setting the brand apart in a market dominated by loose, unpackaged spices. Early challenges centered on the limitations of manual production processes and constrained distribution networks, primarily through local stores in . Demand soon outpaced the initial stock, prompting an expansion to ten staff members within months to handle orders from friends, family, and emerging wholesale channels. By 1983, the product line had grown to 13 blends, including staples like those for and , but the company remained committed to artisanal methods without aggressive advertising, relying instead on word-of-mouth and authentic taste. In 1994, Shan Foods transitioned from a cottage industry to a formal commercial enterprise with expanded production facilities. This foundational period laid the groundwork for Shan's evolution into a larger enterprise, though details of later expansions belong to subsequent phases of its history.

Growth and Key Milestones

Shan Foods transitioned from its origins as a single-room home-based operation in , , in 1981 to a commercial enterprise with expanded production facilities in the city, enabling broader distribution of its initial lineup of three spice mixes under the Shan brand. During the , the company marked significant international growth by entering the market in the early part of the decade and subsequently expanding into , the , and toward the late 1990s, with a focus on serving the South Asian diaspora communities. This strategic outreach helped establish Shan as a global exporter, reaching over 70 countries across five continents by the . In pursuit of quality standards, Shan Foods obtained key international certifications, including ISO 9001 for and FSMS 22000 for , alongside BRC Global Standard and various certifications, which supported its scaling operations and export compliance. The company also pioneered advanced technologies such as for spice preservation and V-LOCK packaging using nitrogen flushing and aluminum foil to maintain freshness, enhancing its production efficiency during this period. A pivotal milestone occurred in when Shan Foods acquired Raani Foods, a UK-based , thereby augmenting its production capacity and strengthening its European footprint. In 2019, Shan Foods rejected a $250 million acquisition offer from , opting to maintain family ownership and control. By the mid-2010s, these developments had solidified the Shan brand's position as a leading name in Pakistan's packaged foods sector. In 2024, Shan Foods announced the launch of its Shan Cooking Sauces line, marking a diversification beyond traditional spice mixes into ready-to-use cooking solutions that incorporate authentic flavors with minimal preparation. Complementing this, in September 2024, the company inaugurated a state-of-the-art production facility in partnership with global provider , involving an investment of up to $20 million, aimed at localizing supply chains and boosting capacity for savory products.

Products

Spice Mixes and Seasonings

Shan Foods' core product line consists of over 50 varieties of spice mixes designed for traditional Pakistani and South Asian dishes, providing pre-measured ingredients to simplify home cooking. These include mixes for popular recipes such as , , , and , allowing consumers to replicate authentic flavors without the need to blend individual spices. The formulations draw from traditional family recipes, emphasizing natural ingredients like chilies, , , and , which are cryogenically ground using to retain aroma and essential oils without heat degradation. The company's approach prioritizes authenticity by sourcing spices that align with time-honored South Asian culinary practices, while ensuring the mixes are free from artificial preservatives and colors in their base compositions. This preservation method, combined with rigorous quality controls, maintains the integrity of flavors across products like the , a staple for layered pilafs with meat and potatoes. Shan Foods positions these spice mixes as convenient and affordable options compared to purchasing and measuring loose spices, catering to busy households seeking consistent results. Packaging innovations play a key role in product freshness, with V-LOCK technology utilizing food-grade flushing and aluminum foil pouches to create an airtight seal that prevents oxidation and moisture ingress. These vacuum-locked pouches are designed for optimal , and each includes nutritional labeling with serving sizes, counts, and information, complying with international standards such as ISO 9001:2015, , and FDA requirements. This ensures transparency and safety, making the mixes suitable for global markets while upholding the brand's commitment to quality in everyday cooking.

Diversified Offerings

In the , Shan Foods expanded its portfolio beyond traditional spice mixes by introducing ready-to-use cooking sauces, pastes, and condiments designed to simplify while preserving authentic flavors. These include versatile accompaniments such as Shan Chatni, a tangy green , and Sauce, which serve as ideal dips and enhancers for South Asian dishes. This diversification catered to busy consumers seeking convenience without compromising taste, marking a strategic shift toward broader essentials. Building on this momentum, Shan Foods ventured into sweet offerings in the mid-2010s with dessert mixes and baking aids that transform traditional recipes into effortless preparations. Notable examples include bases for , a creamy , and halwa, a dense sweet, allowing home cooks to replicate festive desserts with minimal ingredients. These products emphasized natural components and ease of use, appealing to both novice and experienced bakers in diverse markets. The company's entry into instant foods further broadened its appeal, with the launch of Shoop instant noodles in 2012, offering quick-cook options in flavors like masala and . By the , this line expanded to include ready-to-cook meal kits, alongside a range featuring pre-seasoned varieties such as and pilau for one-pot meals. In 2024, Shan Foods announced enhancements through a partnership with , focusing on innovative savory snacks and flavored products to meet evolving global demands. Shan Foods has also entered the frozen foods segment with its "Made With Love" brand, offering ready-to-heat meals. A notable example is Spaghetti Bolognese, a frozen pasta dish consisting of spaghetti in a hearty beef tomato sauce, prepared with real ingredients including tomatoes, beef, onions, carrots, celery, and cottage cheese. The product contains no artificial colors or flavors, is Halal-certified by ISNA Canada and verified by HMA, and is prepared in Canada for convenient oven or microwave preparation as a family-style dish. Shan Foods' product development strategy centers on adapting time-honored Pakistani recipes for international consumers, incorporating milder profiles and user-friendly formats to suit varied palates across more than 70 countries. All diversified items maintain certification from authoritative bodies like SANHA, ensuring compliance with Islamic dietary standards and enhancing trust among global Muslim communities. This approach underscores the brand's commitment to quality, innovation, and cultural accessibility in its expansion efforts.

Operations

Manufacturing and Supply Chain

Shan Foods maintains its primary manufacturing operations in , , at the Korangi Industrial Area, where multiple production facilities, including a recently inaugurated state-of-the-art plant, are equipped for high-volume spice grinding, mixing, and packaging. These facilities adhere to international standards, supporting the company's capacity to produce a wide range of packaged mixes and related products for both domestic and markets. The company's focuses on procuring raw spices such as , , , and red chili from trusted local Pakistani suppliers and international sources to ensure consistent quality and authenticity. is rigorously enforced throughout the , with implementation of HACCP principles integrated into certifications including FSSC 22000 Version 6 and BRCGS AA+ grading, involving batch testing for flavor, , microbial safety, and compliance with global norms. Sustainability initiatives at Shan Foods include the adoption of through installations at its facilities, with the first major system inaugurated in 2024 to reduce reliance on traditional power sources and lower the . Additionally, the company has pursued waste reduction efforts in by distributing over 20,000 eco-friendly reusable bags to employees and consumers since 2020 and partnering with initiatives to minimize leakage in industrial areas. For logistics, Shan Foods operates an in-house distribution network in , reaching approximately 100,000 retail stores nationwide to ensure efficient domestic supply. Exports to over 75 countries are facilitated through strategic partnerships with global freight and providers, enabling the company to maintain a robust presence in markets across five continents.

Market Presence and Financial Performance

Shan Foods holds a dominant position in Pakistan's packaged spice and recipe mixes market, recognized as the market leader in recipe mixes with a substantial share exceeding 40 percent in the sector. The company's strong domestic footprint is driven by its extensive distribution network and among consumers seeking authentic South Asian flavors. Internationally, Shan Foods exports its products to over 75 countries across five continents, including key markets in the United States, , , and , where it caters to South Asian diaspora communities. In 2023, the company achieved revenue of Rs. 25 billion (approximately US$87 million), marking growth from Rs. 22 billion the previous year, with exports accounting for 39 percent of total sales. This performance underscores its expanding global reach, bolstered by targeted expansions in the , particularly , anticipated to drive further revenue growth in 2024 and beyond. As a privately held, family-owned enterprise, Shan Foods remains under the control of founder and his family, who hold approximately 82 percent of the shares, enabling agile decision-making without public market pressures. In 2024, the company entered a with German flavorings manufacturer AG to establish a new production facility in focused on innovative savory products and flavor enhancements, with plans for up to $20 million investment, aiming to strengthen its competitive edge. In the competitive landscape, Shan Foods positions itself against local rival National Foods, which holds a comparable domestic presence, while differentiating through superior international distribution in markets, where it outperforms competitors in availability and brand recognition. This strategic focus on both local dominance and global export growth solidifies its role as a key player in the packaged spices industry.

Controversies

Product Safety Recalls

In July 2023, Shan Foods initiated a voluntary recall of 12 specific batches of its spice mix products in Germany following detection of ethylene oxide residues exceeding the European Union's maximum residue limits for pesticides. The affected items included Shan Tikka Mix, Tandoori Masala, Chicken Handi, Curry Powder, Karachi Beef Biryani, Fish Biryani, Tikkiya Kabab Masala, Punjabi Yakhni Pilau, Seekh Kabab, Garam Masala, Vegetable Biryani, and Lahori Chargha, all with batch dates ranging from October 2022 to March 2023. This action was prompted by warnings from German food safety authorities, including the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL), after routine testing revealed the contaminant. The recall extended to other EU countries, such as , where the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain issued notices for similar products like and Punjabi Yakhni Pilau due to the same issue. Shan Foods' team confirmed the withdrawal of only the specified batches, emphasizing that unaffected products underwent independent lab testing and met all safety standards with no associated health risks. In response, the company implemented enhanced sterilization protocols in its to prevent future occurrences, focusing on alternative methods compliant with EU regulations. The incident resulted in a temporary suspension of the recalled batches from sale in select markets, leading distributors like Ideal Food Traders and Star Food Impex to remove them from shelves nationwide in . No consumer illnesses or adverse health effects were reported in connection with . , commonly used in spice processing for microbial control, is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a carcinogen, capable of causing genetic mutations and cancer with prolonged exposure. Ongoing regulatory monitoring by authorities ensures continued compliance for Shan Foods' exports. No further recalls or safety issues related to have been reported as of November 2025.

Regulatory and Media Scrutiny

In 2023, German authorities initiated recalls of specific batches of Shan Foods spice mixes, including products like Masala, after detecting levels exceeding permitted thresholds under EU regulations. These actions were reported as batch-specific measures rather than comprehensive bans on the company's products, with clarifications issued by outlets to counter claims of a full prohibition. Similar notifications appeared in the EU's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), prompting withdrawals in countries like due to the same contaminant in Shan-exported items. These events echoed patterns seen in alerts for other spice brands, such as Indian products facing restrictions in 2024. Media coverage intensified the scrutiny, beginning with German outlets in July 2023 highlighting the recalls and potential health risks from , a classified . This was amplified in 2024 through social media platforms like and , where users questioned the brand's safety and shared anecdotal concerns about availability in , often conflating recalls with outright bans. Shan Foods responded publicly, describing the reports as misleading and affirming that no full bans were in place in any market, while emphasizing ongoing testing and compliance efforts. Shan Foods has maintained compliance with relevant regulations on maximum residue levels (MRLs), such as Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, which sets the default MRL for unauthorized substances like at 0.01 mg/kg in foodstuffs including spices. The company holds certifications from the Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) for mandatory food products, alongside global standards such as for management, to support its appeals against specific alerts and ensure export eligibility. These measures underscore efforts to align with international contaminant limits amid the scrutiny. The incidents led to temporary erosion in export confidence among industry observers, with parallels drawn to issues affecting Indian brands like MDH, which faced bans in and over similar spice mix detections. Despite this, Shan Foods reported rising export contributions to overall sales, indicating resilience in global market presence.

References

  1. https://www.shanfoods.com/about/
  2. https://www.shanfoods.com/pk/our-founder/
  3. https://www.shanfoods.com/products/
  4. https://www.shanfoods.com/pk/media/shan-foods-unveils-new-corporate-identity-amid-growing-global-presence/
  5. https://aurora.dawn.com/news/1145546
  6. https://www.arabnews.com/node/2571995/pakistan
  7. https://www.thejuggernaut.com/shan-spices-history-south-asian-diaspora
  8. https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2024/03/24/after-decades-of-sticking-to-spices-shan-foods-is-bringing-a-new-kind-of-product-should-national-be-scared/
  9. https://www.dawn.com/news/1859947
  10. https://www.ishopindian.com/Buy-Shan-Masala-Online/
  11. https://www.shanfoods.com/products/recipe-mixes/
  12. https://www.shanfoods.com/product/recipe-mixes/rice/bombay-biryani/
  13. https://aurora.dawn.com/news/1140905/spicing-it-up-exploring-pakistans-spice-industry
  14. https://www.shanfoods.com/products/accompaniments/
  15. https://www.shanfoods.com/products/cooking-sauces/
  16. https://www.shanfoods.com/products/desserts/
  17. https://studylib.net/doc/25287461/market-performance
  18. https://www.shanfoods.com/products/shoop/
  19. https://www.symrise.com/newsroom/article/?tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=25673&cHash=bae93e889316d8831fe11fa639085c7d
  20. https://www.shanmadewithlove.com/
  21. https://www.shanfoods.com/canada/about/
  22. https://www.sanha.org.pk/services/shan-foods/
  23. https://www.perfumerflavorist.com/flavor/ingredients/news/22921086/symrise-symrise-and-shan-foods-inaugurate-stateoftheart-international-standard-production-facility-in-pakistan
  24. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1231898-shan-foods-inaugurates-new-production-facility-in-partnership-with-symrise
  25. https://www.scribd.com/document/919058180/Shan-Foods-Operation-Report
  26. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/shan-foods-private-limited_brcgscertification-foodsafety-qualityassurance-activity-7287770995526914049-8Y-R
  27. https://www.facebook.com/ShanCareers/posts/shan-food-is-ecstatic-to-announce-the-clearance-of-fssc-22000-version-6-audit-an/500253152566049/
  28. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/shan-foods-private-limited_sustainableenergy-solarpower-shanfoods-activity-7176529067867820032-WCjn
  29. https://dailytimes.com.pk/540931/shan-foods-distributes-20000-eco-friendly-bags/
  30. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/shan-foods-private-limited_shanfoods-conceptloop-saynotoplastic-activity-7029698075501678592-tufh
  31. https://www.maheentheglobe.com/maria-qureshi-marketing-manager-at-shan-foods/
  32. https://www.shanfoods.com/media/shan-foods-inaugurates/
  33. https://www.shanfoods.com/media/shan-foods-unveils-new-corporate-identity-amid-growing-global-presence/
  34. https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2021/03/14/why-shan-foods-should-actively-consider-an-ipo/
  35. https://mettisglobal.news/shan-foods-plans-up-to-20m-investment/
  36. https://www.uniwriter.ai/business/shan-foods-competitors-a-marketing-analysis/
  37. https://heated.medium.com/packaged-spices-are-shunned-by-chefs-but-home-cooks-turn-to-shan-masala-4882c8b2fb4c
  38. https://www.sochfactcheck.com/some-shan-spices-have-been-recalled-in-germany-not-banned/
  39. https://www.lebensmittelwarnung.de/
  40. https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/rc/subject/files/20230726_3.pdf
  41. https://www.fr.de/verbraucher/pestizide-shan-bundesweit-produkte-betroffen-ethylenoxid-grosser-gewuerz-rueckruf-krebserregender-92394923.html
  42. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02005R0396-20230101
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