Dhaka:The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) has imposed fines totaling Taka 1.5 lakh on three businesses for storing loose edible oil in unhygienic drums and selling unlabelled soybean and palm oil in the capital.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the violations were uncovered during a market monitoring drive conducted on Monday in the areas of Shah Ali, Mirpur-1, and Kallyanpur's Notun Bazar. A press release detailed the findings of the operation.
During the drive, M/s New Ahmed Traders at Shah Ali Market was fined Taka 70,000 for storing loose edible oil in dirty and unhygienic drums. Meanwhile, New Howlader Traders at the same market faced a fine of Taka 50,000 for storing unlabelled loose soybean and palm oil in unhygienic conditions. Additionally, M/s Hashem General Store at Kallyanpur's Notun Bazar was fined Taka 30,000 for similar infractions.
The fines were imposed and collected on the spot. The operation was part of the Ministry of Industries' project titled "Digitization of Fortification of Edible Oil for Improved Monitoring, Quality Control and Capacity Building". It saw the collaboration of several bodies including the DNCRP, the Ministry of Industries, the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, the Bangladesh Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (BITAC), and the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB).
DNCRP Assistant Director Muhammad Hasanuzzaman from the Dhaka district office and Assistant Director Tahmina Begum from the headquarters led the drive. Traders were instructed not to store or sell loose edible oil in unhygienic containers and to ensure proper labeling on containers used for storing oil. Leaflets and pamphlets were distributed to consumers to raise awareness about the Consumer Rights Protection Act, and consumers were encouraged to report any fraudulent activity to the DNCRP.
The directorate emphasized that such market monitoring drives would continue in order to maintain market discipline, ensure fair prices, and promote the supply of safe and hygienic food products.