BFSA fines 25 establishments Tk67 lakh in a week
Chattogram accounted for the bulk of the penalties, with four establishments fined Tk40 lakh.
The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) fined 25 establishments a total of Tk67 lakh during raids conducted in Dhaka and different districts across the country between 16 and 22 August.
The establishments were also charged with 25 cases during the week, BFSA Public Relations Officer Abul Hasnat said in a press release today (23 August).
According to BFSA sources, four establishments in the Chattogram Metropolitan area were fined Tk40 lakh under the Food Safety Act, 2013, and four cases were filed after irregularities were found.
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In Dhaka, raids were conducted at seven establishments. Three were fined Tk3 lakh and three cases were filed.
Mobile courts were also conducted at 15 establishments in Pabna, Bogura, Madaripur, Narsingdi, Brahmanbaria, Dhaka, Faridpur, Gazipur, Chattogram, Nilphamari, Lakshmipur and Manikganj. The drives resulted in Tk24 lakh in fines and 15 cases.
Meanwhile, a summary trial in Brahmanbaria on 17 August imposed no fines but resulted in three regular cases against three establishments.
BFSA Chairman Md Shafiqul Islam said ensuring food safety was not merely a matter of law enforcement, but was directly linked to public health.
"Alongside taking necessary action against violations, we are placing equal importance on encouraging food businesses and producers to act responsibly, regular monitoring, research and public awareness," he said.
He added that preventive measures would be strengthened alongside punitive action and that the BFSA's activities would be expanded to ensure people's right to safe food.
