Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) officials have seized 43kg of rotten and stale beef allegedly kept hidden in a styrofoam box at a meat shop in Savar’s Genda Bazar.
The shop, Jahangir Goshot Bitan, was fined Tk 100,000 for attempting to sell the rotten meat and failing to produce valid documents related to the source and traceability of the meat, as well as an updated trade licence.
The mobile court operation was conducted on Monday under the leadership of BFSA Deputy Director and Executive Magistrate B M Ruhul Amin Rimon.
During a surprise inspection of the shop, the mobile court team found a styrofoam box concealed at the back of the premises. Upon opening it, officials discovered around 43kg of foul-smelling, rotten beef.
According to the officials, the meat had allegedly been kept hidden and was being sold to unsuspecting customers, sometimes alongside fresh meat.
The shop authorities also failed to produce valid documents showing the source and traceability of the meat displayed for sale. They could not show an updated trade licence either.
After the proprietor admitted to the offences, the mobile court imposed the fine under relevant provisions of the Food Safety Act, 2013. The fine was collected immediately.
The seized rotten meat was subsequently destroyed in public.
Dhaka District Food Safety Officer Md Nazmul Islam, Monitoring Officer Mohammad Imran Hossain Molla, BFSA support staff and a team of Ansar personnel were present during the operation.
Speaking after the drive, Executive Magistrate B M Ruhul Amin Rimon said selling rotten or spoiled meat by deceiving consumers poses a serious threat to public health and constitutes a serious offence.
“Such surprise inspections and mobile court operations will continue across Dhaka district to ensure safe food reaches consumers,” he said.
