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4 October 2010

Food adulteration wagon trundles on unchecked in Kathmandu Valley

KATHMANDU,
The bulk of substandard edibles in the market are processed water, mustard oil, milk, spices and noodles. Other forms of adulteration are done through colouring or polishing foods like pulses and rice. But this is not as rampant as it used to be.

Our inspection has found that low quality oil is mixed with pure mustard oil; processed water contains more iron or even pesticides; processed milk contains large amounts of fat.

As Dashain, Tihar and Chhath are around the corner, grocers do brisk business. Customers become vulnerable due to their need to stockpile a large quantity of food for the festival. Unscrupulous traders take advantage of high demand by peddling adulterated and low quality items.

In view of the vulnerability of the customers and temptation of traders to make quick bucks, we have launched a special “festival campaign” by strengthening our inspection regime. There are two separate teams of food inspectors from the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control—four in each team to keep an eye on substandard foods.

We inspect all kinds of shops—from retailers to wholesalers—for adulterated and substandard food products. We also visit factory sites to check the quality of the raw materials and the process of production.

Our inspection shows that at least 60 percent of the food available in the market is adulterated. Among these, mineral water ranks high.

This year, we took 68 samples and tested them in a lab. Around 32 of the samples were found to be contaminated. This shows that a high percentage of drinking water, either sealed in jars or mineral bottles is tainted.

Customers have a difficult time detecting substandard products. The food items in question need to

be lab tested to ascertain quality. However, there are a few simple things customers can do on their own. For instance, they should pay attention to manufacturing and expiry dates.

Besides, if they suspect foul play in any way in food products they buy, they can inform the quality control office either in the capital or regional offices around the country. Customer awareness goes a long way in reducing the chances of food adulteration.

Our department is trying its best to inspect the market and factories. But, as is always the case with most government departments, lack of manpower and resources limits our capacity. We send ten Food Inspectors to inspect the market in the whole valley on a regular basis. Still, that is not enough. The number of factories and shops continues to swell but for the last decade the number of inspectors designated for the Valley has remained constant. Yet, we are trying to cope.

We have divided the Valley into 34 clusters on the basis of geographical area and population in the area, as well as number of shops. Our department has appointed 40 FIs to inspect food items across the country.

Lack of proper regulations also stands in the way of effectively curbing adulteration. We sent a proposal to the (Agriculture) ministry a few months ago to legislate a law, but there has been no response. Our work is mandated by the fourth amendment to the 1992 Food Act which states that a maximum of Rs. 5,000 as fine and six months imprisonment can be imposed in general cases of food adulteration. Lax laws have led to a rising

trend of traders mixing substandard items with food products with impunity. Though our data shows that at least 200 retailers, wholesalers and factories are punished on a yearly basis; most of them pay a pittance and get released.

(As told by Spokesman for Department of

Food Technology and Quality Control Pramod Koirala to ISHWAR RAUNIYAR)

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Food adulteration wagon trundles on unchecked in Kathmandu Valley

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