The Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene has asked all local governments to enforce the provisions of the Food Hygiene and Quality Act, 2081 that fall within their jurisdiction. The circular, forwarded by the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs and General Administration, highlights local-level responsibilities for regulating food businesses and ensuring compliance with food hygiene and quality standards. The directive specifically refers to service providers including hotels, restaurants, resorts, canteens, banquet facilities, eateries and homestays.
Under the law, food businesses are generally required to obtain the prescribed licence or permit before operating, while authorities may seek information on production, processing, packaging, storage and distribution practices before granting approval. Food businesses must maintain prescribed hygiene and quality standards, ensure proper storage and temperature control, keep food preparation and distribution areas clean, maintain product traceability and comply with labelling and other regulatory requirements. Service providers are similarly responsible for making food available according to prescribed standards and maintaining hygienic premises.
The Act gives the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control powers to regulate food quality, issue or oversee licences, conduct monitoring and inspections, develop standards, manage food-safety risks and recommend action against non-compliant businesses. Provincial and local governments may also conduct inspections within their jurisdictions, designate or mobilize food inspectors and take action under applicable law when businesses sell substandard, contaminated or otherwise non-compliant food products.
The directive is intended to strengthen food safety enforcement at the local level, improve accountability among food businesses and protect consumers from unsafe or low-quality food. Local governments have been asked to put the required regulatory arrangements in place and carry out monitoring, inspection and enforcement in coordination with the relevant food-safety authorities.
