SMC board chairman fined Tk16 lakh over unauthorised sales | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
June 13, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2025
SMC board chairman fined Tk16 lakh over unauthorised sales

Bangladesh

TBS Report
16 May, 2024, 05:05 pm
Last modified: 16 May, 2024, 05:17 pm

Related News

  • BSTI to launch nationwide anti-adulteration drive during Ramadan
  • Tk2,409.70cr project undertaken to set up reference, food testing labs in 3 divisions
  • BSTI to provide conditional temporary certificates to release imported raw materials for industries from ports
  • Laboratories will expand safe food activities: Food adviser
  • False production dates, cockroaches: Aziz Bakery fined Tk4 lakh

SMC board chairman fined Tk16 lakh over unauthorised sales

On Tuesday (14 May), Kamrul filed the case against the owners of seven companies for selling five electrolyte drinks without having any government approval. The drinks include ACME and SMC Company's SMC Plus, Pran's Active, Bruvana Beverage Limited's Bruvana, Deshbandhu group’s Mango Drink and Recharge, and Akij's Turbo.

TBS Report
16 May, 2024, 05:05 pm
Last modified: 16 May, 2024, 05:17 pm
Photo: Collected from web
Photo: Collected from web

Waliul Islam, the chairman of the board of directors of SMC, which owns the SMC Plus beverage, was fined Tk16 lakh today (16 May) by the Pure Food Court in a case filed over the unauthorised sales of the electrolyte drinks. 

Waliul surrendered before the Dhaka court after which Judge Alauddin Akbar approved his bail, confirmed plaintiff and Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) inspector Kamrul Hasan.

On Tuesday (14 May), Kamrul filed the case against the owners of seven companies for selling five electrolyte drinks without having any government approval. The drinks include ACME and SMC Company's SMC Plus, Pran's Active, Bruvana Beverage Limited's Bruvana, Deshbandhu group's Mango Drink and Recharge, and Akij's Turbo.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Although the employees of these companies claim they had applied for approval from the BSTI, as electrolyte drinks are not in the category of the BSTI, the approval was not granted. 

Businessmen have been in discussion several times regarding this matter.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Kamrul said, "SMC Plus is a drink owned by two companies. One of them appeared in court today and took bail. Therefore, the matter has not been completely resolved yet. These drinks should be marketed only with the approval of the authority."

Speaking to The Business Standard earlier, Khandaker Shamim Rahman, general manager of marketing at the Social Marketing Company (SMC), said, "We all met with the BSTI regarding electrolyte drinks. However, the list of products that BSTI can approve does not include electrolyte drinks. They stated that it would not require approval and that approval would be given when it is added to the category."

He mentioned that these drinks are not drugs that require approval from the drug administration. Electrolyte drinks reduce fatigue and are considered a healthy beverage.

"But currently, there is no system in place to obtain approval for this product. So, who will be responsible for granting approval?" he questioned.

BSTI Deputy Director (CM) Md Riazul Haque said the category for electrolyte drinks has yet to be developed.

"It does not come under the category of compulsory product. So we could not approve it. But since it is used in different countries, we are in discussions about creating a category. The approval can be given after that," he said.

BFSA Inspector Mohammad Kamrul Hasan said, "The product is on the market, so who approved it? If you engage in business with any product, you have to obtain approval. Business must be conducted according to the law."

SMC plus / Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) / BSTI

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • People gather in the street in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Photo: Reuters
    Israel strikes Iran nuclear facilities, missile factories
  • A building stands damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Photo: Reuters
    Israel declares state of emergency: Defence ministry
  • Chief of Army Staff of Iran's armed forces Mohammad Bagheri. Photo: CNN
    Iran armed forces chief Bagheri killed in Israeli attack: State TV

MOST VIEWED

  • Wreckage of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner showing part of its registration "VT-ANB" in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Amit Dave
    Air India Dreamliner crashes into Ahmedabad college hostel, kills over 290
  • File Photo of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus: UNB
    Prof Yunus to receive Harmony Award from King Charles today
  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Bangladesh mulls settlements with tycoons over offshore wealth: BB governor tells FT
  • Railway seeks Tk2,000cr foreign loans to revive coach assembly, modernise workshops
    Railway seeks Tk2,000cr foreign loans to revive coach assembly, modernise workshops
  • UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus
    Disclosure of unconfirmed Yunus-Starmer meeting shows ‘diplomatic imprudence’: Analysts
  • Brother sues Latifur's daughter, widow over alleged forgery to seize control of Transcom
    Brother sues Latifur's daughter, widow over alleged forgery to seize control of Transcom

Related News

  • BSTI to launch nationwide anti-adulteration drive during Ramadan
  • Tk2,409.70cr project undertaken to set up reference, food testing labs in 3 divisions
  • BSTI to provide conditional temporary certificates to release imported raw materials for industries from ports
  • Laboratories will expand safe food activities: Food adviser
  • False production dates, cockroaches: Aziz Bakery fined Tk4 lakh

Features

Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

1d | Panorama
Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

2d | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

4d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

5d | Bangladesh

More Videos from TBS

Banks' estimates were wrong: Bangladesh Bank spokesperson

Banks' estimates were wrong: Bangladesh Bank spokesperson

14h | Podcast
What exactly happened to the ill-fated Boeing aircraft?

What exactly happened to the ill-fated Boeing aircraft?

15h | TBS World
Govt to set up Debt Office as loan burden to hit Tk29 lakh cr by FY28

Govt to set up Debt Office as loan burden to hit Tk29 lakh cr by FY28

16h | TBS Insight
Curfew imposed for second night in Los Angeles

Curfew imposed for second night in Los Angeles

16h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net