Kathmandu, January 14 : The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) has revealed that the rate of violating the quality standards is highest amongst the milk and milk products
52.6 percent, or 101 samples, of the 192 samples of milk and milk products collected during the year from 36 districts failed to meet quality standards, according to a market report prepared by the department in Fiscal Year 2017/18.
The samples were collected by the department in Kathmandu Valley as well as its divisional offices in Biratnagar, Hetauda, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj and Dhangadi.
Similarly, the processed drinking water follows milk and milk products when it comes to non-compliance with quality standards. Of the 206 samples of processed drinking water collected by the department from six districts, 66 were found to be below-the-mark. Cereals, legumes and their products are third on the list. Of the total of 1,188 samples collected, 69 were found to be substandard.
Samples were collected from food markets, supermarkets, groceries and food/feed industries, among others.
Some 12.58 percent of the total samples failed to meet the quality standards prescribed by the department.
The department and its offices had filed 224 cases against producers of substandard food products.