Kathmandu, May 4 -- The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control has instructed its food inspectors to collect samples of spices produced by both domestically and abroad, with a particular focus on those from India, for pesticide residue testing.

The department's move comes amid news reports of several countries recalling Indian spice brands MDH and Everest Masala.

A source at the department informed that a foreign embassy in Nepal has also written to them about pesticide residue found in spices produced by Nepali companies.

Along with spices, Nepal also exports pickles to several countries. Products exported from Nepal were examined in the foreign country, which showed pesticide residue levels exceeding the permissible limit,...