Govt blocks import of Red Bull, Red Star

Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) said that it has blocked the import of Red Bull and Red Stars saying that the energy drinks do not come with mandatory information in their labels. Information about manufacture date, expiry date, ingredients are prerequisite to import foreign products in the country and they should be clearly mentioned in labels, the office said. The department, which is also responsible for regulating food quality across the country, said it has doubts about the quality of those drinks. As per the Food Act 1980, any product manufactured in Nepal or imported should include manufacturer´s name and address, manufacture date and expiry date, ingredients used and batch number either in English or Nepali. "We allow entry to foreign products that do not mention required information," said Jiwan Prabha Lama, director general (DG) of DFTQC. DG Lama said that such beverages could affect human health and have high chance of being consumed even after it crosses the expiry date. Earlier this month, the office had imposed ban on the sales and distribution of Red Star and Rhino-S brand of energy drinks citing same reasons. The office said that 2,900 cartons of Red Star energy drink imported by Daju Brothers have been held at Birgunj Customs Office since June 24. Likewise, another 2,900 cartons of energy drinks of the same brand imported by Mangala Impex has been stopped at Kakadvitta Customs Office since June 6. The office has also blocked the import of 2,900 cartons of Red Bull ordered by Adya International at Birgunj Customs Office since June 6. "Each carton contains 24 cans. We have blocked 8,600 cartons of Red Star and Red Bull at Birgunj, Biratnagar and Bhairawa customs offices," Pramod Koirala, spokesperson of DFTQC, said. Koirala also said that the office has been urging public not to drink the energy drinks that do not have mention proper information about its ingredients. Around 25 brands of energy drinks are available in the market. Most of these products come from countries like Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, England and India.