The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) has sealed a juice factory in Keraniganj, Dhaka, after finding a number of irregularities, including the use of expired raw materials and misleading expiry dates on its products.
The authority also fined AR Consumers Limited Tk 100,000 and ordered the temporary suspension of all its operations during a raid in the Atibazar area of Keraniganj on Tuesday.
The raid was led by Mohammad Hasanuzzaman, office head and assistant director of the DNCRP’s Dhaka district office. Assistant Director Shikdar Shahinur Alam of the DNCRP’s Dhaka divisional office and Md Nazmul Islam, district food safety officer of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, also took part in the operation.
During the inspection, officials found that the factory was producing artificial fruit drinks under different brand names.
In one case, the raw materials or chemicals used to produce a drink were found to have an expiry date in 2026, while the finished product carried an expiry date extending to 2027.
Officials said this meant the product was being given a shelf life beyond the expiry date of its raw materials.
The inspection team also found that the factory was using packaging different from the packaging approved by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI). The bottles also did not carry batch numbers, according to the authorities.
Considering the violations as offences against consumer interests, the DNCRP fined the company Tk 100,000 under the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009, and sealed the factory after suspending its operations.
The drive also found irregularities at several other businesses in the area.
Kusum Confectionery was fined Tk 2,000 for failing to mention expiry dates on food-product packaging. Madina Sweetmeat and Confectionery was fined Tk 20,000 for using hydrogen in the preparation of jilapi.
Khaleel Grand Sweets was fined Tk 10,000 for including the weight of packaging when weighing sweets for customers. An egg shop was fined Tk 2,000 for failing to maintain purchase and sales receipts.
Speaking after the drive, Mohammad Hasanuzzaman said the DNCRP was conducting regular operations to protect consumers’ rights.
“Extra caution must be exercised when producing food products, particularly food intended for children,” he said, adding that legal action would be taken against businesses found violating consumer rights.
He said one establishment was fined Tk 100,000 and sealed, while four other businesses were fined a combined Tk 34,000 for offences against consumer interests.
“We will continue our drives,” he added.
