According to the DAO, a fine of Rs 10,000 each was slapped on Pokhara-based Gandaki Oil and Pokhara Noodles, Rs 2,000 on SS Food Products, and Rs 1,000 each on Pokhara Macaroni Product and Sumit Suppliers.
Tests conducted by the authorities found "Koseli Health," the sunflower oil of Gandaki Oil Company, to be of sub-standard quality. The food inspection team had filed a case against the company at the DAO, and the action was initiated by the chief district officer as per the Food Act 1996.
Similarly, "Chino" noodles of Pokhara Noodles Company was found to be tainted with hazardous materials. The company was also fined Rs 10,000, informed Subba Dubra Khadka of the DAO.
As per the Food Act, 1996, those who produce, import and distribute sub-standard food items are liable to pay Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000, or jail terms of up to two years, or both. Consumer rights activists, however, claimed that the punishment is low and that it should be increased. "The 39-year-old law has not been amended even once. It is high time to increase the punishment," stressed Kapil Koirala, chairman of Kaski Consumer Committee.
"Prices of every product have drastically soared. However, the punishment has remained the same for failing to maintain quality," said Koirala. "The government is not concerned about consumer rights at all."
Quality Control and Measurement Office of Kaski district does not have proper equipment to examine and test quality of food items. They are forced to send its collected samples to Bhairahawa for analysis.
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