January 7, 2013

Following the illegal import of chicken by Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) from India, the Nepalese government has banned traders from importing chicken products via road transport.

Chicken meat must be imported through air cargo, spokesperson at the Ministry of Agriculture Development, Prabhakar Pathak said, adding that the meat must be from a 'no bird flu surveillance zone'. According to him, the government will strictly follow the Nepal Gazette, published on September 24, which banned the import of livestock from bird flu affected countries.

The World Organisation for Animal Health listed India in the bird flu infected list on October 12, 2012, and the listing has not been withdrawn to date.

The Department of Livestock Services had dumped about 5,248 kilogrammes chicken meat imported by Devyani International Nepal - promoter of KFC and Pizza Hut in Nepal - in Dharke of Dhading on December 16. About 5,619.5 kilogrammes chicken imported by Mango Tree International was also dumped the same day.

The incident reveals that the government has failed to control corruption at the quarantine posts. "The control mechanism has completely failed," said general secretary of Forum for Protection of Consumer Rights Jyoti Baniya. The government has not implemented the suggestions made by joint secretary of the ministry Uttam Kumar Bhattarai, he added.

According to a ministry source, the committee has strongly urged the government to take action against KFC and quarantine officials. "We have also filed two cases against KFC at the Department of Commerce and Supply Management and Metropolitan Police Range but no action has been taken yet," Baniya expressed his disappointment, "The government is not serious about public health."

Department officials refused to comment on the issue saying it was being handled by the ministry. Similarly, the police has also not issued any arrest warrant till date and is still waiting for details from the Department of Livestock Services and the ministry.

Consumer groups believe that something fishy is going on, said Baniya, questioning why government agencies had not taken prompt action like it had done regarding New Road-based gudpak shops and Sangam Sweets. There is no doubt that Devyani International is influencing the government, Baniya added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Commerce and Supply Management has destroyed date expired spices, cookies and other items at KFC. We destroyed date expired and unhygienic food items, said director at the department Prem Prasad Paudel.

The department has issued show cause notice to the international fast food chain. KFC must furnish an explanation within seven days on why they have been using date expired spices and food, Paudel said.