Rangpur: A mobile court fined a molasses factory in the Shukurerhat area of Mithapukur upazila Tk 2,30,000 for producing adulterated molasses in a dirty and unhygienic environment on Saturday night. Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Mithapukur upazila Md Ashiq Zaman conducted the mobile court with the assistance of Bangladesh Safe Food Authority (BFSA) officials and members of law enforcement agencies.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rangpur District Food Safety Officer of BFSA Md Lokman Hossain stated today that the factory had been producing adulterated molasses for a long time by mixing harmful chemicals and low-quality materials, posing a serious threat to public health. During the raid, the mobile court observed irregularities in making molasses in an unhygienic and damp environment, using unauthorized non-food-grade harmful colors and flavors, hydrose, low-quality canned chita jaggery, flour, and sugar.
For these irregularities, the mobile court fined the factory owner Md Mukul Mia Tk 2,30,000 under the 'Safe Food Act, 2013'. The court also seized large quantities of adulterated molasses and materials and destroyed them in front of the people present.
After the raid, the Executive Magistrate told local reporters that the administration is taking a strict stand against any dishonest business practices and adulterated products that pose a health risk to people. "Such drives will continue to protect public health," he said.