Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) has fined 16 food establishments a total of Tk 20.5 lakh and filed 16 cases for violations of the Food Safety Act, 2013, during enforcement drives conducted across the country over the past week.
The enforcement campaign, carried out from August 23 to 29, was part of the authority’s ongoing efforts to strengthen food safety monitoring and protect public health.
In Dhaka metropolitan areas, BFSA teams conducted drives at five establishments and found violations including operating without mandatory registration, selling stale food and failing to display trade licences.
Two establishments were fined a total of Tk 2 lakh, while two cases were filed over the violations.
Outside the capital, mobile courts were conducted at 12 establishments in Tangail, Faridpur, Madaripur, Cumilla, Cox’s Bazar, Feni, Chattogram, Mymensingh, Panchagarh and Sylhet.
The establishments were fined a combined Tk 16.5 lakh, while 13 cases were filed for offences including the use of unauthorised colours, failure to provide product labels, storing or selling expired products, producing food in dirty and unhygienic conditions, and using burnt cooking oil.
In Pabna, legal action was also taken against two establishments during summary trials held on August 26 in Chatmohar and Sadar upazilas.
The trials were conducted under the leadership of the Pure Food Court judge and a metropolitan magistrate, in the presence of a BFSA food safety officer.
One establishment was fined Tk 2 lakh for producing cheese without registration and violating health and hygiene requirements. A regular case was filed against the other establishment.
264 establishments monitored
Besides enforcement, the BFSA has stepped up monitoring of food establishments across the country.
During the week, authorities inspected 264 establishments, including markets, hotels and restaurants, bakeries, sweet shops, and food production and processing facilities.
The monitoring focused on compliance with food safety requirements at different stages, including food production, storage, processing, serving and marketing.
The BFSA said establishments were given necessary instructions where violations or shortcomings were identified, while legal measures were taken when required.
Awareness campaign continues
The authority has also continued its public awareness campaign on food safety through television, radio and social media.
During the period, Bangladesh Television aired 14 minutes of food safety-related television commercials and broadcast 42 scroll messages.
Bangladesh Betar aired three separate food safety messages for a total of 35 minutes.
The BFSA is also using social media platforms to disseminate food safety messages through photographs, reels and videos, encouraging consumers to choose safe food and promoting hygienic practices in food production and marketing.
The campaigns also seek to inform consumers about their role in ensuring food safety and the precautions they should take when purchasing and consuming food.
