The committee took the step to make market monitoring by authorities concerned more effective, officials said.[break]
A joint team of the FLRC, Department of Commerce (DoC), Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC), District Administration Office (DAO), Kathmandu and representatives of consumer´s rights organization inspected manufacturing plants of Kathmandu Dairy, Babarmahal and Sitaram Gokul Milk, Kirtipur. The team conducted surprise inspection at the plant after receiving complains that the dairy producers were flouting the standards set by the concerned authority.
Shanti Basnet, coordinator of the Consumers and Supply Sub-committee under FLRC, said they conducted surprise market inspection as per the FLRC´s decision to address growing market anomalies and arbitrary price fixation.
During the inspection, the team sized 11 bags of caustic soda - that is used to adulterate milk -- from Kathmandu Dairy. The team also tested quality of different dairy products like ghee, curd, paneer and ice cream manufactured by the company. The test showed that dairy products produced by the company contained high amount of caustic soda. The team also collected sample of the products to ascertain whether they contain sodium carbonate content. Kathmandu Dairy was also found not using proper labels on its products.
Similarly, the team also seized 28 bags of caustic soda from the premises of Sita Ram Gokul Milk. The dairy producer was found using caustic soda in blended milk to neutralize acidity and prevent milk from turning sour. It was also found not using proper labels on its products.
The monitoring team collected samples of products from Sita Ram Gokul Milk for further lab tests.
Jyoti Baniya, a consumer rights activist, said caustic soda acts as a slow poison for those suffering from hypertension and heart ailments and can ultimately lead to cancer. “Milk with caustic soda can be more harmful for pregnant women, fetus and persons with heart and kidney problems,” added Baniya. He also informed that more than 95 percent of dairy producers in the Valley were using harmful chemicals like caustic soda and urea among others.
“Regular consumption of such milk for more than three years can lead to cancer,” Baniya added.
The FLRC on Sunday had instructed Central Market Monitoring Committee and District Market Monitoring Committee to control price hike and ensure uniformity in prices of essential commodities. It had also asked the authorities concerned to control black marketeering and punish wrongdoers.
Sub-committee coordinator Basnet told Republica that appropriate actions will be taken against the wrongdoing companies.
Related story
Vegetable traders protest market inspection
-1779842101.webp)
