"We have introduced this system to ensure that consumable food items brought into the country are up to the standard set by us," said Pramod Koirala, senior food technologist at the Food Technology and Quality Control Department, the body that issues the import licenses.
Although the government´s initial plan was to make licenses compulsory for all imported consumable food items, it is currently targeting only two products - edible oil and milk powder - due to lack of resources. "But the provision will be gradually made mandatory for other imported food products also," Koirala said.
As per the new provision, companies planning to import edible oil and milk powder can open letters of credit only after getting an import license. Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank, has already issued a circular to all commercial banks regarding the new provision. However, it will not apply to firms that opened letters of credit prior to July 16, the department said.
In order to prevent substandard food products making their way into the country, the government had issued a similar directive some three years ago. The directive clearly stated that foreign food products can be brought into the country only after getting an import license. However, implementation of the provision hit a snag as the World Trade Organization (WTO) was not notified in time.
"Even now products with a shelf life of only a month are being imported. Companies bring in such goods claiming they would be able to sell them off before the expiry date," Koirala said. "He said the department will strictly monitor such activities."
He also informed that food products with less than 60 percent shelf life left will not be allowed to enter the country. "We believe this will put an end to the practice of dispatching goods that can cause harm to health," Koirala said.
He further said that all labels on imported food products should clearly mention the ingredients used in manufacturing the products, date of manufacture and expiry date.
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