BSTI to launch nationwide anti-adulteration drive during Ramadan

Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) is set to launch a nationwide inspection drive to ensure the quality of iftar items and essential commodities during Ramadan. The operation will commence on the first day of fasting across Dhaka and other regions, covering not only iftar products but also baby food, fruits, and cosmetics.

At a press conference held today at the Ministry of Industries, Industry Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan shared details of the initiative. The event was attended by Secretary of the Ministry of Industries Md Obaidur Rahman, BSTI Director General (Grade-1) S M Ferdous, and other senior officials.

Adilur Rahman stated that Ramadan is expected to begin on 1 or 2 March. To ensure food safety and prevent fraud, BSTI has intensified its surveillance efforts a month in advance. Ongoing mobile court operations and monitoring activities have been strengthened to control product quality, prevent adulteration, and curb weight and measurement fraud.

During Ramadan, BSTI's own executive magistrates, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies such as Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and the APBN, will conduct at least three mobile courts daily, including at weekends. Joint operations will also be carried out with the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and DMP. Across the country, BSTI's divisional, district, and regional offices will conduct multiple mobile courts daily with support from district and upazila administrations. Surveillance teams will enhance market monitoring to ensure food safety.

Special attention will be given to commonly consumed iftar and Ramadan food items, including fruit drinks, fruit syrup, puffed rice, dates, soft drink powders, carbonated beverages, edible oil, mustard oil, ghee, pasteurised milk, noodles, instant noodles, lachcha semai, and bottled water. BSTI will collaborate with the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority and the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection to execute these inspections.

From October to January, BSTI conducted 471 mobile court operations nationwide, filing 428 cases and imposing fines amounting to Tk24.7 million. Additionally, three individuals were sentenced to jail, and 23 factories were sealed. Regarding weight fraud, 382 operations led to 615 cases, with fines totalling Tk23.7 million, including the sealing of 392 fuel pump units.

BSTI has also taken action against counterfeit and illegal online product sales. A letter has been sent to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to prevent unauthorised businesses from selling illegal products online. Mobile courts have been conducted against around 15 online businesses based on complaints. BSTI urges consumers to verify BSTI approval before purchasing products online and to report concerns via its hotline (16119).