Occurrence of mycotoxins in staple foods is a major threat to attaining food safety in developing countries. The study investigated multi-mycotoxin contamination for the first time in Nepalese maize along with the incidence of molds in 45 samples of maize used as human food from 45 districts of Nepal. The samples were analyzed quantitatively for the presence of five different mycotoxins (total aflatoxins (AF), total fumonisins (FUM), ochratoxin (OT), zearalenone (ZEA) and (DON) deoxynivalenol) using the competitive direct ELISA technique. The most frequent occurrences were for DON (100%) and AF (78%) followed by FUM and ZEA (both 76%) and OT (62%). Interestingly, all the samples contained at least two mycotoxins while at least three or more mycotoxins were found in 87% of the samples. The most commonly reported binary, ternary and quaternary combinations were DON+AF, AF+FUM+DON and AF+FUM+ZEA+DON, respectively. The mean percentage kernel mold infection was 35.33% with Fusarium, Aspergillus, Rhizopus and Penicillium genera being the predominant molds. Six different species of Aspergillus and a single species of Fusarium were identified. The estimated daily intake, margin of exposure and risk of liver cancer from consuming maize were 30.46 ng/kg bw/day and 5.58 and 0.38 cancer cases/year/100,000 population, respectively. Since maize is the second-most consumed cereal in Nepal, the contamination levels of various mycotoxins and the incidence of molds identified in the study suggests that stricter control is needed to safeguard the health of the substantial population consuming maize as a staple diet.

This article discusses the policy and regulatory challenges faced by Nepal in strengthening food safety governance and the potential solutions to address them. Capacity building through training programs and technical assistance, regional collaboration, and private sector engagement are the key strategies identified for improving food safety standards in the country. The article highlights the need for a comprehensive legal framework and the establishment of a centralized food safety authority in Nepal. The challenges faced by the private sector in complying with food safety standards are also discussed, particularly the difficulties faced by small and medium-sized enterprises. The potential benefits of regional collaboration in the food sector, including the harmonization of food standards, the development of regional frameworks for food safety based on the Codex, and the creation of a regional food safety rapid alert system, are also examined. The article concludes that addressing policy and regulatory challenges through capacity building, regional collaboration, and private sector engagement can lead to improved food safety governance in Nepal and help the country to overcome its food safety challenges.

Incidence of mycotoxins in principal foods and grains is a major threat to achieving food safety but still remains one of the most underrated and ignored sources for food borne diseases, particularly in less developed countries. Furthermore, food insecurity together with ineffective government regulations and environmental conditions that favor fungal proliferation and toxin production merge together to make the people’s life even harder in countries like Nepal. Apart from wasting huge quantities of food every year, mycotoxins are associated with various acute and chronic health disorders including carcinogenic, mutagenic, estrogenic, digestive, vascular and nervous defects. Staple diets in less developed countries like Nepal are largely based on crops like maize, susceptible to mycotoxins which may ultimately lead to chronic health problems in large population. Although there is an immediate need to address the food safety challenges caused by mycotoxin contamination in cereal grains, studies so far in Nepal has been conducted mainly in aflatoxins in limited commodities only and very less efforts have been made to manage and mitigate the problems caused by mycotoxins in Nepal. Therefore, a thorough control of mycotoxins in overall food chain is essential to safeguard the health of the population which could be achieved by implementing stricter regulations, modern and scientific post-harvest operations, effective monitoring programs and raising necessary awareness among stakeholders. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 9(3): 152-159.

Food insecurity remains a persistent challenge in Nepal. The right to food is a fundamental human right recognized in various international conventions and national legal frameworks. The Right to Food and Food Sovereignty Regulation was drafted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Nepal, and approved by the Council of Ministers in March 2024. The introduction of legal frameworks to ensure food security and their effective implementation is one of the key action tracks identified in Nepal’s National Food System Transformation Pathway. However, several challenges hinder the effective implementation of this regulation, including the availability of financial resources, technical manpower, the establishment of fair price shops, and the technical capacity of the implementing agency. Additionally, policy coherence across government tiers, the interests of external development partners, and certain cultural factors pose significant obstacles to the successful implementation of the regulation's provisions. A comprehensive approach is required, combining legal reforms, economic support, and social initiatives, to transform the right to food from a theoretical concept into a tangible reality for all Nepali citizens. This paper highlights the key provisions, the development process of the regulation, the roles of key stakeholders, and the challenges in its effective implementation. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 12(3): 115-125.

This article explores the intricate landscape of stakeholder analysis and management within the framework of promoting small and medium-scale vegetable processing technology in Nepal. Given that agriculture engages a substantial 66% of the country's workforce, the escalating demand for vegetables has been met with challenges stemming from the lack of support for vegetable processing industries, resulting in food waste and financial setbacks for farmers. Addressing these issues, the article advocates for holistic backing and promotion of vegetable processing industries in Nepal. The methodology section delineates a mixed-methods approach for stakeholder analysis, employing documentary reviews, key informant interviews, and surveys to get information. It further explores the constitutional roles of different government levels and details the initiatives by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) and other government agencies in propelling food processing technology. The stakeholder analysis provides a detailed examination of both internal and external stakeholders, categorizing them based on their power and interest. The power/interest grid and influence mapping assist in prioritizing stakeholder engagement and managing their expectations effectively. The article concludes by asserting that effective stakeholder management is crucial for addressing the challenges and promoting the growth of vegetable processing industries in Nepal. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 12(1): 19-28.