Seven food establishments were fined Tk10 lakh and seven cases filed under the Food Safety Act during a week-long nationwide drive by the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) from 9 to 15 August.
The authority conducted mobile court operations in Dhaka Metropolitan area and different districts as part of efforts to enforce the Food Safety Act, 2013.
In Dhaka Metropolitan area, mobile courts conducted drives at seven establishments, fining three of them Tk4 lakh in total and filing three cases.
Mobile court operations were also conducted in Brahmanbaria, Moulvibazar, Dhaka and Manikganj, where four establishments were fined Tk6 lakh and four cases were filed.
The BFSA said it also monitored 130 food establishments nationwide during the period, including markets, hotels and restaurants, bakeries, sweet shops, and food production and processing facilities.
As part of awareness activities, the authority organised a seminar titled “Role of Local Stakeholders in Stopping the Sale of Open Edible Oil” in Joypurhat on 14 August with support from the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh.
Food Minister Abdul Bari attended the seminar as chief guest and inspected the activities of BFSA’s mobile laboratory van.
During the week, Bangladesh Television aired trans-fat-related messages for 14 minutes, while Bangladesh Betar broadcast three separate food safety messages for 35 minutes to raise public awareness on safe food consumption, hygienic production and marketing, and consumer rights.
BFSA Chairman Md Shafiqul Islam said ensuring safe food is one of the government’s priorities and the authority is working through law enforcement, regular monitoring, mobile courts, research, awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagement.
He said coordinated efforts by the government, businesses, producers, consumers and other stakeholders are essential to ensure food safety.
