KATHMANDU: The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) said it would destroy 7.8 metric tons of spoiled rice, which was meant for earthquake survivors of Gorkha district, after it was confirmed inedible.

Issuing a press statement, the WFP said it decided to destroy the rice after tests conducted by the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control confirmed it was unfit for human consumption.

“In line with WFP procedures, the operation of destroying the food will be implemented under the supervision of district authorities and quality control inspectors of the Government of Nepal,” said WFP Country Director Pippa Bradford in the statement.

The UN agency was widely criticised for distributing substandard food items to quake-hit population of various places including Barpak of Gorkha.