Shan Foods (Pvt) Limited is a Pakistani producer of packaged spice mixes used in Pakistani and other cuisines of the Indian Subcontinent. The company's products are exported to over 50 countries, and the popularity of such products is due to the reduction in time required to make traditional meals. Shan Food Industries was founded as a cottage industry in 1981 in Karachi, Pakistan by Sikandar Sultan, the founder & chairman. A few years later it started exporting to Europe, United Kingdom, United States and the Middle East. By 2008, Shan had become hugely popular within Pakistan due to its quality brands which were selling at affordable prices for common people. The company is now exporting its products to 52 countries as well in 2008 In 2000, Shan increased its penetration in the central and northern regions of Pakistan, and officially launched in India in 2004 by organizing a cooking competition in New Delhi. Shan exports to 52 countries making it Pakistan's largest exporter of packaged spice, food, and rice mixes.