Ctg customs seizes 4,200kg of banned artificial sweetener Sodium Cyclamate
Sodium Cyclamate is an artificial sweetener 30-50 times sweeter than regular sugar, which can cause cancer as well as kidney and liver complications.
Customs House, Chattogram, has seized 4,200 kg of an artificial sweetener banned in Bangladesh, Sodium Cyclamate, from the Chattogram port.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) confirmed the matter in a press release today (10 December).
Acting on intelligence from the Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) in Dhaka, a customs intelligence team identified the consignment, which had been brought in by Ezaz Trading of Keraniganj. The importer had declared the shipment as 22,088 kg of Polyaluminium Chloride. The container arrived from China on 21 October.
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Following the tip-off, customs authorities suspended the release of the consignment and conducted a physical examination on 6 November. The inspection revealed two types of products. Samples were sent to the Chattogram Customs laboratory, where test results confirmed that 17,800 kg matched the declared chemical, but the remaining 4,200 kg was identified as Sodium Cyclamate.
Sodium Cyclamate is an artificial sweetener 30-50 times sweeter than regular sugar. Unscrupulous food manufacturers sometimes use it in sweets, bakery items, beverages, chocolates, condensed milk, and even baby food despite its harmful effects, the NBR said.
The substance is linked to cancer as well as kidney and liver complications. It is banned under the Import Policy Order 2021-2024 due to its severe public health risks.
Customs officials said the seized consignment was detained under the Customs Act 2023 and legal action is underway. Authorities noted that nearly 100 tonnes of Sodium Cyclamate were seized in two separate consignments on 16 September and 28 October this year. Legal processes already initiated.
