KATHMANDU, Oct 3: The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) has sealed Sangam Sweets located at New Baneshwar, Kathmandu, for selling inedible sweets.
After a market monitoring team led by Food Investigation Officer Ishwor Subedi found the shop selling inedible sweets, both the shop and its go-down were sealed.
Sangam Sweets found using inedible chemicals
The inspection team consisted of department officials, consumer right activists, and a representative from District Administration Office Kathmandu.
"The shop has been sealed until further notice," Subedi said. According to him, the shop was found using a laundry whitener chemical on sweets to make them attractive. The chemical is harmful for human health and is prohibited for use in food, he said.
The inspection team also found that the shop was using eight-year-old coconut powder on sweets. The powder was suitable for use only till four months from the date of manufacture, which was 2011. The team has destroyed the powder in stock.
Likewise, polarity level of ghee and oil used in sweets was found to be excessively high. The maximum permissible polarity level is 25 points, but the team found the level up to 38.5 points.
The department has stated that needful action will be taken against the sweets shop owned by Sangam Sharma from Jhapa. The inspection team has directed Sharma to present himself at the department with clarification within three days.
