Restaurant Fined NPR 250,000 for Poor Hygiene and Pests

Kathmandu. The government has fined 'Mantra Thakaali' (Green Tara Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.) located in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, two hundred fifty thousand rupees. A joint team from the Food Technology and Quality Control Department's 'Rapid Response Team' and the Department of Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection conducted an emergency inspection of the restaurant on Saturday after receiving a complaint via telephone from a consumer alleging insects in the food. During the inspection, the restaurant's kitchen hygiene was found to be unsatisfactory. The inspection team found that cooked food was stored uncovered, cockroaches and bedbugs were found in the fridge and kitchen, and the kitchen drainage was also dirty. Additionally, the team concluded that food items were stored haphazardly in the fridge, dustbins were left open, and there was a possibility of insects in the food. Due to the serious nature of the shortcomings, the team fined the business two and a half lakh rupees in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act, 2075. The team immediately destroyed approximately one kilogram of fried potatoes, which were packed in inked paper, i.e., newspapers, deeming them harmful to health. The team instructed the restaurant operator to keep cooked food properly covered, to effectively manage pest control, and to pay special attention to cleanliness. The department has asked them to rectify all shortcomings within seven days and appear with proof. The department warned, 'If improvements are not made within the stipulated time, further action will be taken in accordance with the prevailing Food Hygiene and Quality Act, 2081.'