Food Quality
THERE have been some media reports that low
quality food items are being sold in the market. The concerned government officials have
also accepted this fact and expressed their commitment of taking action against those who
sell adulterated and low quality foodstuffs. They have at times collected samples of food
items from the market and conducted test in the food laboratory. The laboratory tests have
also confirmed that some food items available in the market are adulterated and of low
quality. The government has taken action against some businessmen who were found selling
adulterated and low quality food items. However, these actions do not appear to be
effective as practice of selling substandard food and other items has not totally stopped.
In fact, this trend is on the rise. It is likely to increase further as Dashain and
Depawali— two biggest festivals of the Nepalese —are soon approaching. Such a
practice is against basic business ethic and a crime against humanity. Adulterated and low
quality food items can lead to health hazards. As, it is a serious crime, stern action
must be taken against people who play with the health of people, driven by get-rich-quick
motive. A recent news story in this daily has it that local administration conducted raids
at few stores in Biratnagar and found them selling substandard foodstuffs. The officials
have already initiated action against those businessmen. The rise in the sale of
substandard foodstuffs is partly attributed to the lack of regular monitoring of market on
the part of government and test of food items on a regular basis. When businessmen are
found to have been selling adulterated and substandard foodstuffs, action against them
should be heavy and very strict so that they would never dare do so in the future. But the
reality is that even when the businessmen are found selling such food items, there are
chances that they, as in most of the case, may go scot-free. Even if action is taken
against them, it is merely nominal. As a result, they again engage themselves in the same
practice. Moreover, the lack of awareness in consumers is also partly responsible for such
negative practices. Nepalese consumers are not well aware of their rights. As a result,
they are often cheated and betrayed by traders. Legal experts and officials have pointed
out the absence of necessary laws concerning protection of consumers’ rights and
maintaining food quality. Thus, it is very urgent to take necessary steps for maintaining
food quality and protecting the right of consumers.
Other Story
|
