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The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) fined various food establishments a total of Tk 1 crore in August for violating food safety laws and filed 50 cases, according to an official statement issued on Monday.
In Dhaka metropolitan areas, 25 drives resulted in Tk 10 lakh in fines and 10 cases. Outside Dhaka, 29 drives across different districts led to Tk 48 lakh in fines and 31 cases.
Meanwhile, summary trials led by judges of the Pure Food Court and metropolitan magistrates fined five establishments Tk 42 lakh and resulted in nine cases.
Overall, the BFSA conducted 59 drives across the country in August, collecting Tk 1 crore in fines and filing 50 cases. During the month, the authority also monitored 1,198 food establishments and issued health certificates for 13 exportable products.
The BFSA said seven establishments were fined a total of Tk 15 lakh and seven cases were filed during enforcement drives conducted in Dhaka and several districts from August 30 to September 5.
In Dhaka, five establishments were inspected during the period. Three were fined Tk 4 lakh and three cases were filed for operating without mandatory registration, producing counterfeit products, selling stale food and failing to display trade licences and BSTI certification, among other violations.
Mobile courts were also conducted at four establishments in Chattogram, Sylhet and Lakshmipur. They were fined a total of Tk 11 lakh and four cases were filed for violations including cockroach and bedbug infestations at production sites, use of unauthorised ghee and colouring agents, use of kewra water in biryani, failure to label products, preparing food in unhygienic conditions and using burnt cooking oil.
Alongside enforcement drives, the BFSA has intensified monitoring of food establishments across the country. During the week, 137 establishments, including markets, hotels and restaurants, bakeries, sweet shops, and food production and processing facilities, were monitored.
The monitoring focused on compliance with food safety regulations in food production, storage, preparation, processing and marketing. Authorities provided instructions and took legal action where necessary.
The BFSA has also continued awareness campaigns on food safety through television, radio and social media. Awareness messages have been broadcast on Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, while images, reels and videos on safe food practices have been shared through social media platforms.
