Kathmandu, September 11
Akash Foods in Baluwatar, Kathmandu, has been fined Rs 300,000 after it was found selling unsafe food products, putting consumers’ health at risk.
The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control under the Ministry of Health and Food Safety took action after an unannounced market inspection under its “rapid response modality” found spoiled potatoes and expired laddus at the outlet.
According to the department, the inspection found serious food safety violations at Akash Foods. Potatoes used as stuffing for pani puri were found to have an unusual foul smell.
Similarly, eight boxes of sugar-free laddus past their expiry date were found at the shop. The department said the laddus carried a production date of August 27, 2025, and were required to be consumed within 15 days (“best before 15 days”), but were still being sold after the recommended consumption period had expired.
Following the findings, the inspection team immediately destroyed around 100 grams of foul-smelling potatoes and eight packets of expired laddus.
The department has also instructed the business to strictly maintain food safety standards in the future in accordance with the Food Hygiene and Quality Act, 2081.
