Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) is one of the three departments under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Government of Nepal. It was established in 1961 as the Food Department and housed in Singha Durbar, which was later shifted to its present location in Babar Mahal, Kathmandu in 1965. In 1966, the name of the Department of Food was changed to Food Research Laboratory. The laboratory was later converted again into the Central Food Research Laboratory (CFRL) in 1980 and as mentioned earlier it was known as the Central Food Laboratory until it became the current department under the MoAD in 2000 as the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC).
Since its inception, DFTQC has played a pioneering role in laying the foundation for food quality control systems, research and development in the field of food science and technology and nutrition support programs. As mandated by the Government of Nepal, DFTQC is the apex body responsible for the implementation of food laws and regulations. It is also working for the implementation of Feed Act and Regulations. The main objective is to ensure the quality and safety of food and feed products in the country. Further, the department has a major role to play in promoting appropriate food processing and post-harvest technologies to promote agribusiness. Similarly, the department has been conducting various activities related to food and nutrition to reduce various types of malnutrition in the country. DFTQC has been entrusted as the Codex Contact Point for Nepal for more than three decades, having also been given the role of National SPS Inquiry Point in 2004.