Market inspectors seal Krishna Bakery and Confectionary

KATHMANDU, Feb 25:

The government on Tuesday sealed Kamalpokhari-based Krishna Bakery and Confectionary after finding that the popular bakery producer was failing to maintain clean food production environment.

Market monitoring team deployed by the Department of Commerce and Supply Management (DoCSM) sealed Krishna Bakery and Confectionary after it found the bakery’s production area extremely unhygienic. The team also found the bakery using substandard raw materials in some bakery items.

About a month ago, market inspectors had warned Krishna Bakery and Confectionery to maintain cleanliness and use quality raw materials. When the monitoring team reached the bakery for surprise inspection on Tuesday, they found no change at all in the bakery.

“During our inspection on Tuesday, we found that the bakery has done nothing to make it food production area clean and hygienic. Despite our instruction, it was continuing to use substandard raw materials,” Hari Narayan Belbase, monitoring head of DoCSM, told Republica. “We have sealed the bakery and directed its officials to furnish clarification at the department.”

Belbase also said they will take decision on bakery’s fate as per the existing laws after studying the clarification and carrying out further investigation on the issue.

“The bakery’s production area was like a cowshed, full of dirt. It was using substandard oil for production of bakery items,” said Belbase. “We had not expected such malpractices from reputed companies like Krishna Bakery and Confectionery.”

Meanwhile, Bijaya Poudel, manager of Krishna Bakery and Confectionery, insisted that had maintained high level of cleanliness at the production unit following direction from officials last month. “We are also serious about using quality raw materials. Krishna Bakery and Confectionery is committed to provide quality service,” Poudel told Republica.

Poudel, however, acknowledged that environment outside the production area was not that clean. “Our production area is clean. We agree that we had failed to maintain cleanliness outside the production area,” he added.

Source: Republica