Nepal
Nepal's food markets are flooded with unhygienic and inedible food, and you could be in trouble if you don't double check expiry date and quality before eating.
That's what a new report made public by the government's food quality control indicates.
In a nutshell, it states that a variety of food products sold in Nepal's markets could be substandard.
The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) has taken legal action against 115 companies in the fiscal year 2021/22.
The companies were found producing and selling adulterated food items, which were unhygienic and inedible.
They will face legal action as per the Food Act, 1966.
Food items such as dalmoth, meat masala, vegetable masala (spice mix), oatmeal, bread, curd, soy sauce, noodles, tea, ghee, imported mustard oil, sunflower oil, processed milk, animal food, bakery and other milk products, processed drinking water, wheat flour, and biscuit were sub-standard.
DFTQC found that the food companies produce these food items sub-standard food.
Similarly, they were operating without taking a license.
As many as 115 food companies had not stuck their brand labels on their products.
Moreover, the raw materials and packaged food items including water and other beverages were contaminated with coliform, a common bacteria in contaminated water.
The Department has filed cases against them at the District Court in Kathmandu.
Spokesperson Mohan Krishna Maharjan at the DFTQC said that the food company will be slapped a fine of up to Rs 50,000 or a jail term of five years or both if found guilty.
(With inputs from RSS)
