Industries minister: Zero tolerance against food adulteration

Ministry of Industries has announced that it will take stern action against food adulteration and dishonest traders and companies.

They said they would show a zero tolerance policy during a press briefing at Ministry of Industries, while a session of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution’s (BSTI) activities to regulate quality of foods during Ramadan was going on Thursday.     

At the time, Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, said: “We have to make sure that consumer get safe foods during Ramadan. 

“All dishonest businessmen will be brought under accountability, if found to be guilty of food adulteration.” 

“Keeping Ramadan in mind, BSTI issued show cause notice to 52 companies for producing adulterated food products.”.

The minister further said: BSTI and authorities from the district administration will jointly conduct nationwide drive to regulate the quality of food through mobile courts. 

Nurul also added: “There is sufficient stock of all kinds of products required during the month of Ramadan. 

“So, there is no reason to raise prices. Prices will be round up so that traders with ill motives cannot charge more money.”

Industries State Minister Kamal Ahmed Majumder said: “The importers must be alert so that no adultered food can be imported by mistake.”

"Some traders tend to increase prices products whenever Ramadan nears, but it not possible now because enough storage of foods.

Right now, there is 150,000 metric tons of sugar reserved in government warehouses,” he said.

Kamal added: “There is no reason at all to increase price of goods. And those who fails to follow this, will be treated according to the law.”

Industries Secretary Md Abdul Halim and BSTI Director General AKM Shamsul Arefin were present, among others.

A total of 406 food samples were collected from various markets, of which 313 were tested. Of those, 52 samples were of low quality; 261 were found to be alright. 93 samples are yet to be tested.

The authorities concerned have already instructed its office to conduct the anti-adulterated food drive campaign in Ramadan. 

The seller and the production company were also urged to stop supply of adulterated food products