Processed food penetrates rural Nepal to threaten local counterpart

When Ruben Thapa used to go to his maternal uncle’s house in Kharanga of Manahari rural municipality , Makawanpur, his maiju (maternal aunt) would offer him a glass of mohi (buttermilk) to welcome him.

This Dashain , when he reached his village again, after three years in Portugal, Thapa expected to be served yoghurt and mohi. But, his expectations fell flat when he found more processed beverages and other processed food such as Coke and chips than yoghurt and mohi in the village. Thapa had to make peace with the yoghurt and mohi found in the market.