Check what’s on your plate: Growing sale of unhygienic food rings alarm bells
Summary
Rising cases of food poisoning and unsafe food in Nepal are exposing weak hygiene standards at restaurants, eateries and packaged-food producers. Authorities have fined and recalled several products, but complaints continue to outpace inspections and enforcement.
Key Points
- Cases of food poisoning and food contamination are rising across Nepal’s cities, with consumers frequently falling ill after eating out.
- The Department of Commerce and the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control have fined eateries, filed cases and recalled several packaged food products for hygiene and quality violations.
- Consumer groups say inspections are too seasonal and local governments are failing to enforce food safety laws consistently.
- Public health experts warn that contaminated food can cause both immediate illness and long-term diseases, including hepatitis and kidney damage.
