The DoC filed the cases at the Kathmandu District Court against Sagarmantha Butter and Ghee Industries and Quality Drinking Water Industries located in Chabahil last week.[break] The cases have been filed as per the Consumers Right Protection Act.
The department filed the cases against the companies after conducting sample test of various drinking water and ghee producers in the Valley during its market inspection.
Kamal Bahadur Thapa, market inspector at DoC, told Republica that the cases have been filed against Kanchanjunga brand of ghee produced by Sagarmatha Butter and Ghee Industries and Aqua Nirmal drinking water manufactured by Quality Drinking Water Industries.
The department has already ordered the companies to halt production and distribution of those products.
“We found bacteria level in Aqua Nirmal´s one liter bottle more than the prescribed limit. Likewise, sample of its 20-liter jar had low pH value,” added Thapa.
According to Consumer Rights Protection Act, companies manufacturing and selling substandard edible ghee and drinking water can be slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 or sentenced to three years in jail.
Nepal's ghee exports flourish, reaching five countries