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Mineral water quality ‘getting better’
KATHMANDU, MAY 18 -
One-third of the quantity of mineral water in the market is substandard but overall the quality is improving, according to government officials.
According to the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, half the quantity of the mineral water was of poor quality two years ago but it has now come down to one-third.
“The quality of mineral water is getting better,” said Pramod Koirala, spokesman
for the food department. “Our regular inspection helped minimise the percentage of substandard mineral water.” According to him, they found at least 30 percent substandard mineral water last year.
The finding prompted the department to cancel the licenses of four mineral water factories. “We alerted them about the substandard quality of water, but they remained adamant.
At last, we took action,” said Koirala.
Koirala said contaminated water either contains harmful microorganisms or contains excessive iron. “We have broadened our inspecting areas,” said Koirala. “In recent days, we are also focusing on small shops, dealers and big factories.”
Though the department maintains that at least 70 percent of daily essential goods, including oil and milk, available in the market are adulterated,
it hasn’t launched a massive crackdown.
This is because lack of adequate human resources makes it impossible to inspect every shop for food adulteration, Koirala said. “The number of shops is increasing, but our man power quota is still the same.”
Posted on: 2010-05-19 08:02
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