SMC board chairman fined Tk16 lakh over unauthorised sales | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • 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

Monday
June 16, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • 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
MONDAY, JUNE 16, 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

  • Photo: Courtesy
    Israel-Iran conflict: Govt sets up hotline for Bangladeshis in Iran, relatives to communicate during emergency
  • Emergency personnel work at an impact site after missiles were launched from Iran to Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
    Israel says it is on track for objectives after Iranian missiles hit Israeli cities
  • Representational image. File photo: TBS
    Ctg Port sets new record in container handling in FY25 despite floods, strikes, and holidays

MOST VIEWED

  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Merger of 5 Islamic banks at final stage: BB governor
  • UCB launches Bangladesh's first microservices-based open API banking platform
    UCB launches Bangladesh's first microservices-based open API banking platform
  • Photo: Collected
    Pakistan rejects reports of missile supply to Iran
  • Infographic: TBS
    Non-performing loans surge by Tk74,570cr in Q1 as hidden rot exposed
  • Crore-taka bank accounts edge down by 719 in March quarter
    Crore-taka bank accounts edge down by 719 in March quarter
  • Nepal begins 38MW hydropower export to Bangladesh
    Nepal begins 38MW hydropower export to Bangladesh

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

The GLS600 overall has a curvaceous nature, with seamless blends across every panel. PHOTO: Arfin Kazi

Mercedes Maybach GLS600: Definitive Luxury

9h | Wheels
Renowned authors Imdadul Haque Milon, Mohit Kamal, and poet–children’s writer Rashed Rouf seen at Current Book Centre, alongside the store's proprietor, Shahin. Photo: Collected

From ‘Screen and Culture’ to ‘Current Book House’: Chattogram’s oldest surviving bookstore

1d | Panorama
Photos: Collected

Kurtis that make a great office wear

3d | Mode
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

5d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

An additional 36 countries may be added to the travel restrictions imposed by the United States.

An additional 36 countries may be added to the travel restrictions imposed by the United States.

28m | TBS World
NPLs surge by Tk74,570cr in Q1 as hidden rot exposed

NPLs surge by Tk74,570cr in Q1 as hidden rot exposed

48m | TBS Insight
How powerful is the Israeli intelligence network?

How powerful is the Israeli intelligence network?

3h | TBS World
Delicious Korean Beef

Delicious Korean Beef

1h | TBS Programs
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