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 consumption of rolled oats, especially in urban areas, where they are consumed by people of all age groups—from children to the elderly,” said Bal Kumari Sharma, spokesperson for the department. She added that oats are also consumed during fasting periods, further increasing their demand.

With growing health awareness among Nepali consumers, sales of oat-based cereals have been rising sharply in recent years. According to the department, most rolled oats available in the market are imported, with minimal domestic production. Large quantities are imported in bulk and repackaged within the country.

“If the rolled oats are not found to meet the standards, action will be taken against traders who import and repackage the products here,” Sharma said.

Similarly, demand for soya chunks has been increasing as consumers look for affordable protein alternatives. With meat prices remaining high, many households rely on soya products as a daily protein source.

“As meat is expensive and many people cannot afford it on a daily basis, they opt for soya chunks, which are rich in protein,” Sharma said. “The product has been consumed for a long time, and its demand continues to grow. So we prepared the standard accordingly.”

Rolled oats are produced by processing clean grains of Avena sativa and Avena byzantina, which are dehulled, heat-treated and flattened through rollers or other appropriate methods. Quick-cooking oats and instant oats fall under the category of rolled oats.

The standards apply to imported, domestically produced and repackaged oats and soya chunks.

According to the published standards, rolled oats must be clean and possess their natural taste, colour and smell. They must not contain external materials such as fungus, insects, rodent hair, wood, metal, glass or other harmful substances. The use of artificial colour is prohibited, and the product must be free from abnormal smell or taste.

The standards set specific chemical and physical limits. Moisture content must not exceed 12 percent by mass. Total ash must not exceed 2 percent by mass, while acid-insoluble ash is capped at 0.1 percent. Crude protein must be at least 10 percent by mass. Alcoholic acidity must not exceed 0.18 percent. Uric acid is limited to a maximum of 100 mg per kg, and total aflatoxin must not exceed 15 mg per kg.

Pesticide residues, heavy metals, chemicals, microorganisms, toxins and other harmful contaminants will also be monitored in accordance with government regulations.

Rolled oats must be sealed and packed in clean, dry and food-grade packaging materials. Labelling must comply with the Food Safety and Quality Act.

Soya chunks are defined as texturised dried soya products prepared from defatted soya flour or grits, with or without added vegetable protein, using extrusion technology. The term includes soya badi, soya granules and soya nuggets.

If other food ingredients are used in the production of soya chunks, they must not exceed 3 percent of the total composition.

Under the standards, soya chunks must be clean and have a characteristic taste and smell. They must be free from fungus and insects and must not show signs of spoilage. No organic or inorganic extraneous matter is allowed, except for approved ingredients used in their preparation.

The use of artificial colour, fragrance or inferior-grade raw materials is prohibited.

The standards also specify detailed composition limits. Moisture content must not exceed 10 percent by mass. Crude protein must be at least 45 percent on a dry mass basis. Total ash must not exceed 8 percent on a dry mass basis, while crude fibre must not exceed 3.5 percent on a dry mass basis.

Acid-insoluble ash must not exceed 0.3 percent on a dry mass basis. Residues of hexane or other organic solvents must be limited to a maximum of 10 mg per kg. Total aflatoxin must not exceed 15 mg per kg.

Soya chunks must not contain organic extraneous matter such as hair, husk, bran, pieces of straw, non-edible seeds, or parts of live or dead insects or rodents. Inorganic extraneous matter—including stones, mud, sand, glass, plastic or metal fragments—is strictly prohibited.

The ministry said that safety and quality standards relating to production, packaging, handling, storage and transportation will be determined and enforced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

Any food product that fails to meet the prescribed standards or contains ingredients in violation of the set criteria will be considered adulterated and subject to legal action.

Officials say the move is aimed at protecting consumers and ensuring uniform quality as demand for processed and health-oriented foods continues to grow across the country.