62 Businessmen Sued for Producing Substandard Food in Madhesh Province

Janakpurdham. Cases have been filed against 62 industrialists-businessmen in Madhesh Province on charges of producing and selling substandard food items.

The Food Technology and Quality Control Office stated that cases were filed in the concerned district courts and district administration offices under the Food Hygiene and Quality Act, 2081, after defects were found in food samples collected and tested during the fiscal year 2082/83.

According to Office Chief Bimal Kumar Dahal, cases have been filed against 51 industrialists-businessmen from Bara and Parsa, seven from Mahottari, three from Sarlahi and Rautahat, and one from Dhanusha. He further stated that proceedings are underway to file cases against an additional five industrialists-businessmen from Saptari and Siraha, and two from Dhanusha, on charges of not maintaining food hygiene and adulterating food products.

Chief Dahal mentioned that legal action has been initiated after tests of samples collected during inspections revealed the use of harmful adulterants, sale of expired food items, and violation of quality standards.

During the fiscal year 2082-83, a total of 4,559 food samples were collected from districts in Madhesh Province, including 578 as per the law, 1,228 at the request of producers, and 20 from government bodies. The office reported that 35 of these samples showed adverse results, and legal action is being processed for 10 samples.

During the same period, pesticide testing was conducted on 510 fresh fruits and vegetables, and 310 hygiene surveillance activities were carried out, informed Chief Dahal.

To promote food hygiene, the office conducted 60 inspections in Dhanusha, inspecting 250 hotels and restaurants. During this period, 121 industries were issued licenses, 307 industries were renewed, and recommendations were made for 347 industries. Chief Dahal stated that revenue of Rs 3,836,170 was collected from services such as sample testing, license issuance, renewal, and industry recommendations.

In June alone, the inspection team conducted inspections of 44 hotels and restaurants in Dhanusha, finding defects in 12 of them, resulting in a fine of Rs 420,000 under the Consumer Protection Act, 2075, he informed.

Similarly, in Sarlahi, 17 out of 24 hotels inspected were found to have defects, leading to a fine of Rs 667,000. According to the office, during inspections and surveillance, expired, unlabeled, rotten, and other inedible items were seized and destroyed in the presence of the concerned stakeholders.