POKHARA, August 3

Authorities in Kaski have punished four industries and a commercial firm for producing and selling inedible food items, in Pokhara.

Cases were filed against them with the District Administration Office after the food samples collected during market monitoring at different times were found contaminated and inedible.

The cases were filed as per the existing Food Act.

Gandaki Oil Industry, SS Food Product, Pokhara Noodles, Pokhara Macaroni Product Pvt Ltd and Sumit Suppliers of Pokhara have been booked for selling inedible products.

Rules must be there to prevent any kind of malpractice

A single bench of Chief District Officer Krishna Bahadur Rawat ordered a fine up to Rs 10,000. While the oil industry has paid Rs 20,000, Pokhara Noodles and SS Food Products paid Rs 10,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively. Similarly, Pokhara Macaroni and Sumit Suppliers each paid Rs 1,000 in fine.

About four years ago, a case was filed against the oil industry after two of its samples collected during market monitoring were found to be sub-standard.

Cases against other three industries and the firm were also filed around that time.

According to Dhrub Bahadur Khadka, non-gazetted first class officer at the administration, six cases have been heard and settled so far out of the total 53 food quality-related cases filed with the administration in the fiscal 2015/16.

Stakeholders have pointed out the need to revise the rules and regulations so as to prevent any business malpractice.