Dhaka:The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) has undertaken 744 mobile court operations and enforcement drives across the country from February to September. These efforts have resulted in fines totaling nearly Tk 3 crore and seven prison sentences aimed at curbing food safety violations and safeguarding public health.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BFSA Member (Enforcement) Anwarul Islam Sarker stated that the agency intends to intensify its enforcement activities, enhance food safety monitoring, and expand its operations nationwide, particularly at the district level. The authority has also informed the ministry of the financial and institutional support required to bolster their enforcement and monitoring efforts.
Sarker highlighted that ensuring food safety goes beyond mere law enforcement, emphasizing the need for strengthened surveillance across the entire food supply chain, from production to marketing. The BFSA is also engaged in research and technical initiatives to verify food ingredient purity and prevent the use of unauthorized additives.
In addition to enforcement, the BFSA has increased inspections of food establishments, laboratory testing of food samples, and public awareness campaigns to improve adherence to food safety standards. Statistics from the BFSA show that its headquarters and regional offices conducted 744 operations in the eight-month period.
The enforcement initiatives varied each month, with significant fines imposed for violations. In February, the headquarters conducted eight drives, resulting in fines of Tk 6 lakh, while in March, they conducted six drives with fines totaling Tk 4 lakh. The pattern continued with various fines and enforcement actions throughout the months, reaching a peak in August with 25 drives and fines amounting to Tk 10 lakh from the headquarters alone.
Inspections revealed numerous violations, including operating without registration, unhygienic food preparation, and inadequate pest control measures. Outside Dhaka, irregularities such as the use of unauthorized chemical colors and unhygienic manufacturing conditions were found, resulting in fines and legal actions.
Beyond mobile operations, the BFSA monitored 1,307 food establishments and tested 1,210 food samples, including bottled water and dairy products, to identify potential food safety risks. The authority also continued public awareness campaigns through various media to promote safe food practices.
Under the Safe Food Act, 2013, financial penalties and imprisonment can be imposed for food safety offences. The BFSA, established in 2015, oversees the implementation of this law in Bangladesh, a signatory to international human rights instruments recognizing the right to adequate food. The BFSA plans to expand its activities further, focusing on district-level operations to ensure sustained progress in food safety enforcement.