16 establishments fined Tk 2.05m for food safety violations

Bangla Press Desk:   Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) has realised Tk 2.05 million in fines and filed 16 cases against 16 establishments for violation of different food safety rules during its weeklong nationwide drives.

The drives were conducted from August 23 to 29 in Dhaka and 10 other districts, while summary trials were held under judges of Pure Food Courts and metropolitan magistrates.

The figures were revealed in a press release issued by the BFSA on Sunday, detailing its enforcement, monitoring and public awareness activities under the Food Safety Act, 2013 to protect public health and ensure safe food.

In Dhaka metropolitan areas, the BFSA conducted drives at five establishments. Of them, two were fined Tk 0.2 million in total and two cases were filed for operating without mandatory registration, dealing in rotten and stale food and failing to display trade licences.

Mobile courts were also conducted at 12 establishments in Tangail, Faridpur, Madaripur, Cumilla, Cox's Bazar, Feni, Chattogram, Mymensingh, Panchagarh and Sylhet during the week.

The BFSA realised Tk 1.65 million in fines and filed 13 cases against the 12 establishments for those violations.

Meanwhile, summary trials were conducted on August 26 in Pabna under the leadership of a Pure Food Court judge and a metropolitan magistrate.

Legal action was taken against two establishments and one of them was fined Tk 0.2 million for producing cheese without registration and violating hygiene rules, while a regular case was filed against the other one.