Hetauda, January 7

Hetauda Sub-metropolitan City has brought a food laboratory into operation in its office.

The food laboratory was constructed on the office premises at a cost of Rs one million. The lab came into operation yesterday. Food inspector Alina Neupane at the sub-metropolis said four kinds of edibles, including water, meat, sweets and oil could be tested for quality at the lab.

“We have a machine that can test all kinds of food products, but the chemicals available at present can only test four food items,” Neupane stated. According to her, any individual or organisations can bring food products for quality check. Deputy Mayor Hari Bahadur Mahat said the lab was brought into operation with the aim of checking the quality of cooking oil, water, sweets and meat as adulteration was mostly found in these items.

Sub-metropolis Social Development Department Manager Bhim Timilsina said they would check whether food products available in the market met the legal standard. “We will take action based on the results,” he stated.

Of the Rs two million allocated for the lab by the sub-metropolis, only Rs one million has been spent till date. “The office will add equipment and chemicals required for the lab in the days to come,” Timilsina stated.