For the first time, Nepali food products tested in domestic laboratories have begun to be exported to India without any restrictions. The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) has confirmed that products under nine food categories—sampled and tested at Nepal’s National Food and Feed Reference Laboratory—have now entered the Indian market without requiring additional testing across the border.

This development follows a decision by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which on April 1 wrote to the Indian Embassy in Nepal, officially requesting that food products under the approved categories be allowed entry into India without restrictions.

Shortly after this communication, Nepali exporters began sending these products to India based on tests conducted at Nepali laboratories, according to DFTQC spokesperson Mohan Krishna Maharjan. FSSAI has so far recognized the lab reports from Nepal for 10 food categories: fats and oils, fruits and vegetables, cereal products (rice, wheat, maize, millet), tea and coffee, milk and dairy products, honey and sweeteners, meat products, spices, processed drinking water, and dietary supplements.

Maharjan clarified that while tea and coffee are included in the recognized list, Nepal has not begun testing or exporting them yet, as there has been no demand from India so far. Exporters are currently shipping nine food items, based on certifications issued by Nepal's laboratories—including quality certification, export documentation, and batch number certificates.

“A team from FSSAI has already inspected our laboratory,” Maharjan said. “We’ve formally requested India to expand the list of approved items. If this request is accepted, a wider range of Nepali food products tested domestically could soon be exported to India without restrictions.”

He further added that Nepal’s lab testing capacity has significantly improved in recent years. While laboratories earlier could test up to 286 quality parameters, they are now capable of testing up to 630 parameters. In the past, exporters were forced to send their food samples to cities like Lucknow and Kolkata in India for testing—often spending up to Rs 25,000 per test.