Kathmandu Metropolitan City Fines Four Companies for Contaminated Edible Oil

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has imposed a cash fine of Rs 200,000 against each of the four companies found selling edible oil contaminated with harmful components. The KMC's investigation revealed that four out of 13 sampled edible oils contained inedible substances, including peroxide and acid levels beyond the prescribed limits, posing serious health risks.

Among the products flagged was kitchen oil under the Pakwan brand, manufactured by Shree Ram Refined Oil Product in Morang. The specific batch/lot no. S-2 was found to have excessive peroxide and acid values. Similarly, refined soybean oil of the Amrit brand (batch/lot no. 11) and Kwality brand (batch/lot no. 08) were also found to be non-compliant with government standards. These products are from Annapurna Vegetable Product Pvt Ltd in Birgunj, Parsa, and Kwality Oil Refinery Pvt Ltd in Biratnagar, Morang, respectively.

Additionally, Family brand mustard oil, batch/lot no. 10, produced by Shiv Shakti Ghee Udhyog in Jitpur, Bara, was found with excessive peroxide levels.

Nur Nidhi Neupane, chief of the Agriculture and Livestock Department at the KMC, stated that samples of these brands were tested at the National Food and Feed Reference Laboratory under the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control. Neupane emphasized that the harmful effects of edible oils with contaminants above 10 mg of peroxide value and high acid levels are exacerbated when the products are heated.

Consumption of such contaminated oils can lead to adverse effects on respiratory and cardiac functions, causing significant blood pressure fluctuations and even increasing the risk of cancer.

In addition to the fines, the KMC has given the concerned companies a three-day deadline to withdraw their defective products from the market.