Three Food Manufacturers Fined Tk 36 Lakh in Chattogram
Three food manufacturing companies have been fined a total of Taka 36 lakh following a summary trial held by the Pure Food Court in Chattogram. The penalties were imposed due to various irregularities in food production and processing, an unhealthy environment, and violations of the Safe Food Act. On Sunday (June 21), Chattogram Safe Food Officer Mohammad Farhan Islam confirmed this information, stating that the operation, which took place in different areas of the city on Saturday, was led Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mustafa of the Pure Food Court under the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court.
The operation uncovered several irregularities at an unnamed food production company, including the presence of toxic plastic materials in food processing, the use of burnt oil in the production of chanachur, chira, and boots, the storage of waste materials in the processing area, failure to adhere to prescribed packaging procedures, the addition of misleading information, and the storage and processing of mango fruit pulp in unsanitary conditions, along with non-compliance with hygiene regulations for food workers.
Consequently, the unnamed company was fined Taka 16 lakh for these violations. In addition, allegations against Madhuban Sweets Industries Limited were substantiated, revealing that the company produced food in unsanitary conditions, allowed the free movement of various insects, manufactured low- quality food products, utilized waste materials in food processing, stored expired food products for sale, and failed to package products according to regulations.
As a result, Madhuban Sweets Industries Limited was fined Taka 15 lakh. Meanwhile, Mymensingh Agro was fined Taka 5 lakh for various irregularities identified in the company, including the processing and storage of food in unsanitary conditions. Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafa stated that the Pure Food Court will regularly conduct such activities to safeguard public health and ensure the availability of safe food. This campaign will persist in the future.
