Kathmandu, Feb. 15 -- For the first time, the government has introduced quality standards for rolled oats and soya chunks, two food items gaining popularity especially among health-conscious consumers.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development on Monday approved the standards, which have been published in the Nepal Gazette, the government's official publication.

The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control had proposed the standards for rolled oats in 2023 and for soya chunks in 2025. The Quality Determining Committee formed under Nepal's Food Safety and Quality Act forwarded the draft standards for notification to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), officials said.

"We prepared the standard in view of the rising c...