Government Intensifies Market Monitoring Targeting the Festive Season

With the festive season just around the corner, the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) has ramped up market monitoring to ensure the quality of goods and fair pricing for consumers.

In line with the Food Hygiene and Quality Act, 2081, the department has mobilized three monitoring teams to inspect various food outlets in the Kathmandu Valley. According to the department’s spokesperson Mohan Krishna Maharjan, the teams inspected Gautam Sweets at New Road, Swastik Sweets and Snacks at Indrachowk, and Corner Fresh Gudpak at New Road on Monday.

During the inspections, the team identified several issues, including the use of artificial colorants, the reuse of oil, and a lack of proper personal hygiene. The businesses were instructed to rectify these problems.

In a separate inspection at Prashamsa Collection and Refine Processing Centre in Godawari Municipality-11, the team disposed of 72 cans of adulterated ghee. Local representatives were also present during the inspection.

The monitoring team also visited two stores in Madhyapur Thimi Municipality-3 of Bhaktapur, where they found various inedible items, unsafe storage practices, and expired goods. The stores were instructed to display visible price lists for customers and to renew their business registration documents.

Government authorities have also stepped up monitoring in other districts as well. However, critics say that the inspection carried out by the department is not adequate and have demanded market monitoring throughout the year. The department officials have time and again admitted human resource crunch for effective market monitoring. (With inputs from RSS)