A restaurant in Baglung has faced consequences for endangering consumer health through the sale of inedible food.
The ‘Ratoghar’ cafeteria, situated in Baglung Municipality-3, responsible for catering at public events organized by various associations in Baglung market, has been discovered using expired food items in their meal preparations. Furthermore, the kitchen and dishwashing activities take place in the same area, resulting in unsanitary conditions and a buildup of garbage.
During a joint inspection carried out by various organizations, including the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Baglung, District Administration Office Baglung, Food Technology Quality Control Office Baglung, INSEC Baglung, Tourism and Industry Office Baglung, District Police Office Baglung, and Consumer Forum Baglung, the cafeteria ‘Ratoghar’ was fined Rs 5000 for selling non-edible items.
Chitrangat Baral, Assistant Chief District Officer of Baglung, stated that the cafeteria ‘Ratoghar’ has received a warning and a small fine for their violations. However, if they fail to make improvements, further actions will be taken against them.
Likewise, at the same location, the sales mart was found selling food items such as Gulab Jamun, Lakhamari, and Hajmola without clear production and expiry dates. Consequently, these items have been discarded.
The monitoring team has issued a warning against the sale and distribution of colored snacks produced by four different local entrepreneurs located in Baglung Municipality-1, Marepipal.The Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Office of Tourism and Industry, and Baglung Municipality have cautioned the entrepreneurs to promptly register their industry and refrain from adding colors to their products.
Shaurabh Shrestha, head of Food Technology Quality Control Office, Baglung, said that the color used by the entrepreneur in the snacks was taken under control.She mentioned that a specific amount of food coloring can be used in foods that are not fried in oil, but the limit is set at no more than 0.2 grams of coloring per one kilogram of food.