Dhaka:The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) has fined 80 business establishments a total of Tk 10,39,500 during special drives across 28 districts, including Dhaka, for various irregularities, such as ripening bananas with harmful chemicals and storing edible oil in unsafe drums.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the authorities destroyed chemically ripened bananas and around 204 litres of soybean oil stored in drums previously used for urea-formaldehyde due to public health risks, as stated in a press release.
The DNCRP conducted these operations with 36 teams to stabilize the prices of essential commodities, ensure their normal supply, and protect consumers' right to safe food. Inspections were carried out in wholesale and retail markets, fruit depots, edible oil shops, hotels, restaurants, and LPG cylinder sales outlets.
In Cumilla, a team led by Assistant Director Md Kawsar Mia fined Halim's Banana Depot Tk 50,000 for using harmful chemicals to ripen bananas. The chemically altered bananas were destroyed publicly. In Dhaka's Karwan Bazar, a fruit depot was fined Tk 20,000 for storing chemicals used to ripen bananas, with a warning issued against repeating the offense.
Further inspections at Karwan Bazar and Krishi Market in Dhaka revealed violations in the storage of edible oil. M/s Satata Store was fined Tk 2 lakh, and Helal General Store was fined Tk 10,000, with the destruction of 204 litres of improperly stored soybean oil.
In a separate operation targeting coconut water sales, four establishments were fined Tk 57,000 for irregularities like the lack of trade licenses and failure to display price lists. The inspections took place at Sadek Khan Krishi Market and other locations.
The nationwide drive also monitored overpricing, outdated price lists, manipulation of weights and measures, and the sale of expired goods and medicines. Traders were instructed to avoid harmful chemicals, ensure fair pricing, accurate weights, and maintain transaction receipts, with warnings against hoarding.
The DNCRP distributed awareness materials to consumers and traders and urged consumers to check prices, manufacturing and expiry dates, and weights before purchasing. Complaints of overcharging and other irregularities can be reported via their hotline.
The directorate emphasized that these market monitoring drives will continue to maintain market discipline, fair pricing, and the availability of safe and hygienic food.