KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has introduced a mobile laboratory capable of conducting on-the-spot food quality tests across the city’s markets.
The mobile lab, launched in collaboration with the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, can carry out more than 24 types of tests and deliver immediate results. It is equipped to detect adulteration in water, fruits, vegetables, milk, and sweets.
According to Shriram Neupane, Food Research Officer at the department, the lab includes specialized testing kits and tools such as a pH meter and a water adulteration kit.
These tools can identify pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables, fat content in milk, the presence of soda, sugar, salt, glucose, solid nut fat in dairy products, and residual chlorine or ammonia in water.
“The lab also has the capability to instantly detect the use of inedible colors in sweets,” Neupane said, noting that this will allow real-time inspection of market samples and immediate issuance of reports.
KMC plans to begin inspections with canteens in health institutions. The mobile lab’s first assignment will be at the Paropakar Maternity & Women’s Hospital and Norvic Hospital in Thapathali, where it will assess the quality and safety of food being served to patients and staff.
Officials say the initiative is part of a larger campaign to monitor food hygiene, raise awareness among consumers, and take swift action against substandard or unsafe food products in the market.
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