The Pure Food Court in Chattogram has imposed a fine of Tk 40 lakh on four food establishments following inspections that revealed serious food safety violations. The establishments fined are Flavors Sweets and Bakery Factory, Meridian Food Products Limited, Utshob Super Shop, and Rio Cafe-Mazaydar. The court also ordered prison sentences for those responsible in default of payment.
Extensive Violations Uncovered
Flavors Sweets and Bakery Factory was fined Tk 19 lakh for manufacturing bakery items with substandard ghee, utilizing and storing leftover spoiled sweets, keeping expired sweets, cakes, and biscuits, failing to properly level food products, and producing food in unsanitary conditions. The court imposed a three-month prison sentence in case of non-compliance.
Meridian Food Products Limited was fined Tk 10 lakh for inadequately managing the quality of various chips, noodles, and mango bars, operating in an unsanitary environment, and using unclean equipment. The company faces a three-month prison sentence for non-compliance. Utshob Super Shop was fined Tk 10 lakh for storing and selling expired and spoiled food items, lacking proper labeling on imported products, and failing to provide information about the importer. A three-month prison sentence was imposed for non-compliance.
Rio Cafe-Mazaydar was fined Tk 1 lakh for processing and selling food in unsanitary conditions, storing rotten and stale food, and operating without the necessary registration and certification. The establishment faces a 10-day prison sentence for non-compliance.
Strict Enforcement for Public Safety
Mohammad Farhan Islam, the Metropolitan Safe Food Officer of the Bangladesh Safe Food Authority (BSFA) Chattogram Metropolitan Office, emphasized the seriousness of the violations, stating that they posed significant risks to public health. He noted that the court's actions were in accordance with the Food Safety Act and that such enforcement actions would continue to ensure food safety standards are maintained.
Islam also mentioned that establishments granted time to enhance their quality would be closely monitored. This stringent approach aims to protect consumers and ensure that food traders adhere to hygienic and quality-controlled environments in their operations.
