KATHMANDU: On the occasion of World Protein Day, health experts and officials in Nepal are calling on the public to ignore persistent myths about the poultry industry and recognize chicken and eggs as safe, affordable, and vital sources of protein.

Speaking at an event in Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur, the municipality's mayor, Surendra Shrestha, addressed common misconceptions head-on. He stated that scientific evidence has clearly disproven the false belief that hormones and antibiotics are widely used in poultry production.

“Scientific facts have already dispelled the misunderstanding that antibiotics and hormones are used in poultry production,” Mayor Shrestha said. He urged for awareness campaigns to be expanded to stop the spread of such misinformation, which can discourage people from consuming these accessible protein sources.

The event was organized by the Nepal Feed Industries Association in partnership with the United States Soybean Export Council (USSEC).

Industry leaders at the event highlighted a significant nutritional imbalance in the Nepali diet. Umesh Chandra Sapkota, President of the Nepal Feed Industries Association, warned that excessive carbohydrate intake combined with low protein consumption poses a long-term health risk.

He pointed out that the average Nepali consumes only about 65 eggs and 20 kilograms of meat per year—figures considered low by global standards. To combat this, Sapkota suggested that lessons on the importance of protein should be integrated into school curricula to encourage healthy eating habits from a young age.

Mayor Shrestha also proposed that local governments consider policy discussions to include eggs in school meal programs, making nutrition awareness more effective by starting at the grassroots level.

A panel discussion moderated by poultry expert Dr. Dinesh Gautam featured representatives from the feed and poultry sectors who reinforced the safety of their products.

Keshav Raj Thapa, General Secretary of the Feed Industry Association, stated that antibiotics have not been used in animal feed since 2016 and that there has been no compromise on quality. He called for strict action against any company found violating government policies.

Government officials also lent their support to the campaign. Dr. Umesh Dahal, Director General of the Department of Animal Services, confirmed that animal-based foods produced in Nepal are safe. Dr. Matina Joshi Baidya from the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control emphasized that protein is essential starting from pregnancy and stressed the importance of quality control and consumer awareness.

The event, which also featured a presentation on protein's role in a balanced diet by Dr. Ashesh Bhattarai of USSEC, aimed to send a strong message about increasing protein consumption and ensuring nutritional security for all Nepalis.

World Protein Day has been observed annually since 2020 to promote public awareness about the importance of nutrition and balanced diets. USSEC has been supporting Nepal for this noble cause.