KMC takes actions against four edible oil brands for selling contaminated products

KATHMANDU, July 6: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) slapped a cash fine of Rs 200,000 against each of four companies found selling edible oil contaminated with harmful components.

According to the KMC, four out of 13 cross checked edible oils were found defective. The products were found contaminated with inedible substances including peroxide and acid beyond the prescribed limit that can pose a serious threat to human health.

The kitchen product under Pakwan brand manufactured by Shree Ram Refined Oil Product, Morang was found with excessive peroxide value and acid value. According to the KMC, the batch/lot no. S-2 of the product was found defective.

Likewise, the refined soybean oil of Amrit brand’s batch/lot no. 11 and Kwality brand’s batch/lot no. 08 were found not abiding by the government set standard. These are the products of Annapurna Vegetable Product Pvt Ltd in Birgunj, Parsa and Kwality Oil Refinery Pvt Ltd in Biratnagar, Morang, respectively. 

Similarly, the batch/lot no. 10 of Family brand mustard oil was found with excessive peroxide value. The product belongs to Shiv Shakti Ghee Udhyog of Jitpur, Bara.

Nur Nidhi Neupane, chief of Agriculture and Livestock Department of the KMC, said they got samples of these brands tested at the National Food and Feed Reference Laboratory of the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control. He said the harmful effects of the edible oil that crosses the limit of 10 mg of the peroxide value and the acid value increase more when the products are heated. 

According to Neupane, consumption of edible oil having these contaminants could pose adverse effects in respiratory and cardiac function which leads to high fluctuations in blood pressure and even the risk of cancer.  

Giving a deadline of three days, the KMC has also asked the companies concerned to withdraw their defective products from the market.