HETAUDA: The Food Technology and Quality Control Office in Hetauda has filed cases against 47 traders over the past 22 months for violating food hygiene and safety regulations.
The action follows irregularities discovered during monitoring and testing of samples collected by the office and its subordinate divisions.
According to Office Chief Kashinath Ghimire, three cases were filed under the Food Hygiene and Quality Act during the current fiscal year 2081/82, based on sample testing that revealed violations. In the previous fiscal year 2080/81, 44 traders faced similar legal action.
Chief Ghimire stated that legal proceedings were initiated in the district courts against traders found selling adulterated or expired food items that posed health risks. The violations were discovered during field monitoring and laboratory analysis.
In the current fiscal year, the office issued, renewed, or recommended 483 food-related business licenses and 18 animal feed licenses. Additionally, it collected 90 samples of food and feed for lab testing and 183 samples for food hygiene surveillance.
Out of the samples analyzed, 85 were found to be substandard. Legal action was initiated against the violators, while some were required to re-test and improve product quality to meet standards. The traders were also made aware of food safety protocols and asked to commit to improvements.
During enforcement actions, food items worth Rs. 1.133 million—expired, unlabeled, rotten, or otherwise unfit for consumption—were seized and destroyed in the presence of relevant stakeholders.
Furthermore, in a bid to standardize food service businesses, 13 hotels and restaurants in areas including Sauraha and Chitwan were evaluated and certified, with official logos distributed in a program attended by elected representatives, business owners, and media personnel.
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