Nepal’s Food Safety Watchdog Orders Immediate Recall of Khajuriko ‘Puff’ Snack Over Excessive Trans Fat
Food Safety Alert Khajuriko
7th December 2025, Kathmandu
The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) has issued a critical food safety alert market recall industrial trans fat violation, directing Khajuriko Nepal Pvt. Ltd. to immediately pull its popular ‘Puff’ snack from the market.
Food Safety Alert Khajuriko
The recall follows stringent lab analysis that revealed the product contains levels of industrial trans fat well above the legal limit. This decisive action underscores the government’s commitment to consumer health and sets a precedent for regulatory compliance in the food sector.
This isn’t just a minor administrative issue; it’s a public health intervention. The recalled product is officially categorized as “substandard food” under the Food Quality Act 2081. Consumers are strongly advised to check their pantries and immediately stop consuming the specified batches.
The Science Behind the Recall: Exceeding Legal Limits
Why is this recall so urgent? The answer lies in the danger of industrial trans fat. These man-made fats are notorious for their detrimental effects on cardiovascular health, significantly increasing the risk of heart disease. Recognizing this threat, Nepal’s Food Quality Act 2081 established a strict cap: food products must not contain more than 2% trans fat by weight.
The DFTQC’s laboratory tests on the ‘Puff’ snack revealed a concerning breach of this national standard. The specific batches tested contained higher-than-permitted levels, directly leading to the product being declared unsafe for public consumption.
This reliance on accurate lab testing highlights the essential intersection of science and regulation in public safety. The swift detection by the DFTQC demonstrates the effectiveness of their monitoring mechanisms.
Mandatory Actions: Immediate Cessation and Withdrawal
The DFTQC has not minced words in its directive to Khajuriko Nepal. Under the authority granted by Article 38 (2) and (4) of the Food Quality Act, the manufacturer is required to take two immediate steps:
Stop Sales and Distribution: The company must immediately cease all further sales, distribution, and movement of the affected product batches.
Market Recall: The company is mandated to actively and swiftly pull the contaminated product from every retail outlet, wholesaler, and distributor across the country.
The regulation requires the manufacturer to bear full responsibility for the recall process, ensuring that the unsafe food is removed from the supply chain before it can cause further harm. The regulatory body expects complete and transparent cooperation from the company during this critical period.
Impact on Compliance and Corporate Responsibility
This high-profile market recall sends a strong signal across Nepal’s food industry. It serves as a stark reminder that regulatory bodies are actively using their oversight powers.
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Companies must invest in robust quality control and ingredient sourcing to ensure compliance with the national standards like the 2% trans fat limit.
The public expects that companies prioritize consumer health over profit. Breaches of food quality standards can severely damage a brand’s reputation, irrespective of the product’s popularity.
For Khajuriko Nepal, this incident necessitates an immediate review of its production processes at the Godawari-10, Lalitpur plant. They must identify the source of the excess industrial trans fat and implement corrective measures to prevent future non-compliance.
Specific Batches Affected
Consumers and retailers must check the packaging for the following specific batches, which are the only ones subject to this mandatory recall: Batch B1-3A and Batch B1-5A.
These products, manufactured at the company’s Godawari-10, Lalitpur production facility, must not be sold or consumed. The food safety alert applies strictly to these codes.
The Role of Technology in Food Quality
For an audience interested in technology, it is crucial to note that modern digital systems and advanced laboratory technology are the backbone of this regulatory action.
Sophisticated lab equipment enabled the DFTQC to accurately measure the minute levels of industrial trans fat, providing the irrefutable evidence needed for the recall.
Furthermore, the future of food safety enforcement will increasingly rely on digital traceability systems perhaps using blockchain or advanced inventory management to enable even faster and more targeted recalls, minimizing public exposure to substandard food. This incident highlights the need for technology adoption for better food governance.
Conclusion: A Win for Consumer Safety
The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control has acted decisively to safeguard public health. The mandatory market recall of Khajuriko Nepal’s ‘Puff’ snack over dangerous industrial trans fat levels is a necessary and timely intervention.
It reinforces the principle that food safety is non-negotiable and that regulatory bodies will enforce compliance with the full extent of the Food Quality Act. This action is a victory for consumer rights and health standards in Nepal.
For more: Food Safety Alert Khajuriko
