Another shipment of banned artificial sweetener seized at Chattogram port
This is the third major seizure in recent months
Customs officials have seized 4,200 kilograms of sodium cyclamate, an import-prohibited artificial sweetener, from a container at Chattogram port.
The consignment was intercepted during an intelligence-driven operation conducted by the Chattogram Customs House investigation team with support from the Central Intelligence Cell in Dhaka, the National Board of Revenue said in a statement today (10 December).
According to customs officials, Ejaz Trading imported 22,088 kilograms of goods from China, declaring the shipment as polyaluminium chloride. The container arrived at Chattogram port on 21 October, after which customs suspended its release over suspicion.
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A physical inspection on 6 November revealed two types of products inside. Lab tests later confirmed that 17,800 kilograms were indeed polyaluminium chloride, while the remaining 4,200 kilograms were sodium cyclamate.
Officials said sodium cyclamate is 30 to 50 times sweeter than regular sugar. Some food producers illegally use it in sweets, bakery items, ice-cream, beverages, and even baby food to cut costs. The substance has been linked to cancer and serious kidney and liver complications.
The government banned its import under the Import Policy Order 2021–2024. Customs said the seized goods have been detained under the Customs Act 2023, and legal action against the importer is underway.
This is the third major seizure in recent months. Nearly 100 tonnes of the banned sweetener were confiscated in two separate shipments on 16 September and 28 October. Cases related to those seizures remain under process.
