Dhaka, Feb 26 (V7N)- The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) will launch a nationwide drive to ensure the quality of daily essentials, including Iftar items, during the holy month of Ramadan.
The operation will begin on the first day of fasting in Dhaka and across the country.
BSTI will examine the quality of Iftar items, baby food, fruits, and cosmetics.
Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan shared these details at a press conference at the Ministry of Industries on Wednesday.
The event was attended by the Secretary of the Ministry of Industries Md Obaidur Rahman, BSTI Director General (Grade-1) SM Ferdous, and other senior officials from the ministry and BSTI.
The industries adviser said that Ramadan is expected to begin on March 1 or 2.
In preparation, BSTI has intensified its surveillance activities for a month, focusing on product quality control, preventing adulteration, and stopping weight and measurement fraud.
In Dhaka, BSTI’s executive magistrates, along with law enforcement agencies like Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and APBn, will conduct three mobile courts daily, including on holidays.
Additionally, joint mobile courts will be conducted with law enforcement agencies such as RAB and DMP.
With support from district and upazila administrations, BSTI’s divisional, district, and regional offices will conduct multiple mobile courts daily across the country.
Alongside mobile courts, BSTI’s surveillance teams will enhance market monitoring nationwide.
Special attention will be given to commonly consumed Ramadan food and beverages, including fruit drinks, fruit syrup, puffed rice, dates, soft drink powder, carbonated beverages, edible oil, mustard oil, ghee, pasteurized milk, noodles, instant noodles, laccha semai, and bottled water. Besides BSTI, other agencies such as the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority and the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection will also participate in the drives.
The press briefing also revealed that from October to January, BSTI conducted 471 mobile court operations across the country, leading to 428 cases and fines totaling Tk2.47 crore.
Three individuals were sentenced to imprisonment, and 23 factories were sealed.
Additionally, 382 mobile courts conducted 615 cases related to weight fraud, imposing fines of Tk2.37 crore.
A total of 392 petrol pump units were sealed.
BSTI has also sent a letter to BTRC to curb the sale, distribution, and supply of counterfeit and illegal products online.
Mobile courts have taken action against about 15 online platforms based on complaints.
Consumers are advised to verify BSTI approval before purchasing online and call BSTI’s hotline (16119) if needed.
END/MSS/AJ
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