FNCCI delegation meets Oli, makes recommendations on Food Hygiene and Quality Bill

KATHMANDU: A delegation of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) led by Vice President (Commodity) and FNCCI Commodity Council Chairperson Anjan Shrestha met with CPN (UML) Chairperson KP Sharma Oli on Saturday. The delegation urged former prime minister Oli to take initiative to amend the bill related to food hygiene and quality as per the recommendations prepared by FNCCI. During the meeting held at Oli's residence in Balkot, Bhaktapur, on Saturday, the FNCCI delegation informed the former prime minister that if the proposed provisions of the bill related to food hygiene and quality are passed without amendment in the parliament, the industries and businesses concerned will be compelled to shut down. The delegation also presented Oli with recommendations regarding the bill. On the occasion, FNCCI Vice President (Commodity) Shrestha expressed his concern that the bill was proposed in the parliament without any amendment, despite the fact that the proposals were discussed several times before submitting to the legislative committee officials of the National Assembly. Shrestha asserted that if this law is passed without amendment, no food-related industry will be able to operate in the country. In the recommendations submitted by FNCCI, it said a legal provision should be made to disclose 'best before date' on the label of packed consumable foods that mention 'Food Handler Protocols and Food Safety Rules'  based on international practice. It has also suggested making an arrangement to compensate the innocent sellers for their economic loss due to the ban imposed on the sale and distribution of food products based on suspicion and without factual basis. It has been suggested that the provision of recalling food items by publishing a public notice should be removed as the sale and distribution of other batches or lots of food items produced or processed by food traders are seriously affected. Similarly, when the report of the laboratory is not consistent due to various technical problems, a review should be arranged. Further, FNCCI has said as the food industries are liable for compensation when the consumer's health is harmed due to the consumption of substandard or low-quality food, the imprisonment and excessively high fines charged on businesspersons are considered unfair, and suggested removal of such arrangement. It has also been suggested that the provision of keeping the offences related to the Food Hygiene and Quality Act under criminal offences, and imprisoning entrepreneurs, businesspersons and traders for the entire duration of the trial should be removed. The private sector's organisation has suggested that it is necessary to prosecute only in accordance with the Food Act and not other acts/laws for offences. On the occasion, CPN-UML Chairperson Oli assured that he would support the amendment of the clauses of the bill to save industries from being shut down. He expressed his belief that the law should be introduced in view of the fact that the industry would not die and the health and safety rights of consumers also be protected. The FNCCI delegation present at the meeting included Commodity Council Co-chairperson Arniko Rajbhandari, Export Promotion Committee Chairperson Manish Lal Pradhan, other officials of FNCCI Commodity Council and members of FNCCI's associations related to the food and grain. READ ALSO:

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