Dhaka:The government has initiated a new regulation to enhance accountability in food management by mandating registration and licensing for food businesses, effective November 1. This move aims to cover the entire food supply chain from production to marketing, specifically targeting special food products for children, the elderly, and individuals with certain diseases.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Safe Food (Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 2026, published in the government gazette on July 16, are designed to protect public health and ensure food safety. These regulations require food businesses to display the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) registration number on product packaging, enabling consumers to identify food sources and report any irregularities.
The regulations apply to a wide range of food businesses, including street food vendors, small restaurants, large processing establishments, and importers. Licenses are now mandatory for four specific categories of businesses dealing with health-supporting and supplementary foods, special dietary foods, probiotic and prebiotic foods, and nutraceuticals.
Chairman of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, Md. Shafiqul Islam, emphasized that the new system would help control unsafe food production and marketing, enhancing business accountability and facilitating consumer complaint resolution. The BFSA plans to offer training to registered operators through digital and direct methods, aiming to raise awareness and improve practices within the sector.
The regulations specify that registration is required for 16 categories of food businesses, while licensing applies to businesses handling genetically modified, organic, irradiated, and fortified foods. These measures are expected to strengthen regulatory oversight and ensure the safety of food products with special characteristics.
Applications for registration and licensing must be submitted with a fee, determined by the size of the establishment. First-time registration is free, while the fee for licensing premises starts from Tk 10,000. Registrations and licenses are valid for three years and must be renewed thereafter.
Operating without the required registration or license is a punishable offence under the Food Safety Act, 2013. The BFSA emphasizes the importance of transparency in the registration process, regular inspections, and addressing consumer complaints to ensure the success of the new regulations.