Regulatory Action Taken Against Water Industries in Kageshwari Manohara and Gothatar for Violating Standards, 149 Jars Found Contaminated

The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control has initiated enforcement actions against various jar and bottle water industries in Kathmandu. Four water industries in Kageshwari Manohara and Gothatar areas were found to be operating with substandard practices, resulting in the contamination of 149 jars. These industries were found to be refilling water in used and damaged jars, lacking updated permits, and exhibiting extreme lapses in production area hygiene and sanitation. Under the provisions of the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2081, samples of water from three industries were sent for laboratory testing. Oshian Drinking Water Industry in Gothatar-7 was found to be operating without renewing its food permit, leading to the suspension of its operations. The inspection team discovered 73 contaminated jars with cracked and dirty pipes in this facility. The Bhadrakali Water Industry in Kageshwari Manohara-7 was found to have water accumulating in the production area during the rainy season, with jars being filled outside the designated filling room. The department instructed the industry to repair the structure to prevent water stagnation and to conduct maintenance on the contaminated jars. Similarly, the Manohara Food and Beverage Preliminary Industry in Kageshwari Manohara-7 was also found to have 41 contaminated jars, leading to directives for structural repairs and sampling of water. The Siddhakali Aqua Water Industry, also in Kageshwari Manohara, was found to have 16 contaminated jars with damaged seals. Additionally, the department issued instructions to immediately install proper lighting in the designated water filling area. The department emphasized the need for prompt actions by industries during times of high water demand to avoid sending contaminated jars to the market and neglecting sanitation practices. Further actions will be taken based on the findings of the laboratory reports of the collected samples.