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The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) has ordered the immediate withdrawal of eight substandard product variants produced by four companies after laboratory tests found they failed to comply with Bangladesh Standards (BDS).
In a statement issued on Monday, BSTI said the products showed quality deficiencies, including excessive preservative levels, the presence of harmful microorganisms and failure to meet prescribed national standards.
According to the findings, Fresh Garden Agro Resources’ mango pickle (Batch No. FGMP200G0426) contained preservative levels exceeding the permissible limit.
Kazi Food Industries Ltd.’s Bellisimo Rotondo Hazelnut Coated Chocolate ice cream (Batch No. 26050101A) was found to contain total milk solids non-fat above the level specified under the national standard.
BSTI also detected harmful microorganisms in five cosmetic products manufactured by Olive Bangladesh Ltd. These are Labonno Milk Skin Lotion (Batch No. 2961104A), Aloe Vera Skin Lotion (Batch No. 2961204A), Olive and Labonno Face Wash Moringa+Matcha (Batch No. 2951404A), Foaming Milk and Tulsi Face Wash (Batch No. 2951204A), and Labonno Aloe Vera Shampoo (Batch No. 2921304A).
Meanwhile, Deco Foods Ltd.’s Deco Fruit Funda mango and orange-flavoured soft drink powder (Batch No. 133) was found to contain vitamin C below the level required under the Bangladesh Standard.
BSTI said rejection notices have been served on the companies, directing them to suspend the production, sale and distribution of the affected products until their licences are renewed or approved.
The authority also instructed the companies to immediately recall the products from distributors, dealers, retailers and markets nationwide to safeguard public health and consumer interests.
BSTI warned that it would closely monitor compliance with the recall order and take strict legal action under existing laws against any company that fails to comply.
BSTI Director General (Secretary) Kazi Imdadul Haque said the organisation remains committed to ensuring consumers have access to quality products, stressing that quality is a consumer right.
He urged consumers to check the BSTI certification mark, licence number, manufacturing and expiry dates, and other relevant information before purchasing products.
He also requested the public to promptly report any complaints regarding product quality, adulteration, fraud or misuse of the BSTI certification mark.
