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The Chattogram divisional and metropolitan committees of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) have urged authorities to step up market monitoring and food safety enforcement following complaints from some food and dessert traders over mobile court drives.
In a statement issued on Monday (31 August), CAB said traders should correct irregularities identified during inspections rather than seek to stop enforcement campaigns.
The statement came after reports that some food and dessert traders had complained to leaders of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, alleging harassment by government agencies conducting mobile court operations.
CAB said inspections by consumer rights, food safety and standards authorities had uncovered serious irregularities at food processing facilities, hotels, restaurants and shops.
The violations reportedly included food adulteration, the use of substandard ingredients and harmful chemicals, unhygienic production and storage practices, and unsafe transportation and marketing of food products.
The consumer rights organisation warned that attempts to obstruct inspections could pose a serious threat to public health. It urged business leaders to support efforts to improve food safety, nutrition and hygiene standards.
The statement was signed by CAB Central Committee Vice-President SM Nazer Hossain, Chattogram Divisional Committee General Secretary Kazi Iqbal Bahar Chhaberi, Metropolitan Committee President Jasmine Sultana Paru, General Secretary Ajay Mitra Shanku, Joint Secretary Md Selim Jahangir and Organising Secretary Jannatul Ferdous.
CAB Youth Group Chattogram Metropolitan President Abu Hanif Noman was also among the signatories.
CAB said the century-old chamber had historically represented not only the interests of businesses but also those of people across the region.
It noted that business owners and their families were consumers themselves and could also be exposed to health risks from adulterated or substandard food. The organisation therefore urged chamber leaders to consider consumer interests when responding to traders’ complaints.
CAB cited a field inspection conducted by Chattogram’s Safe Food Court on 20 June under Metropolitan Magistrate and Safe Food Court Judge Mohammad Mostafa.
According to CAB, inspectors found several alleged violations, including the presence of plastic materials in food-processing areas, reuse of burnt cooking oil, improper waste disposal, non-compliant packaging and misleading information on product labels.
Other alleged violations included unhygienic processing and storage of mango pulp, inadequate hygiene among food workers, insect infestations, production of substandard food, the use of newspapers in direct contact with food and the storage of expired products for sale.
CAB said consumers routinely faced food adulteration, fraud and unsafe food practices, while weak enforcement often left them inadequately protected.
It called on government agencies responsible for market monitoring, consumer protection and food safety to intensify enforcement efforts to curb foodborne illnesses and safeguard public health.