Manikganj authorities fine food manufacturers for imitation branding and health code violations
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Authorities in Manikganj have fined the owner of an illicit ice cream manufacturing plant 100,000 BDT following the discovery of fraudulent branding and health-code violations. The operation, led by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP), targeted a facility in the Char Saturia area that had been producing “Milk Mita” ice cream—a brand designed to mimic the appearance of the reputable “Milk Vita” label.
During the inspection on Tuesday, officials found that the factory was operating without requisite certifications. Investigators confirmed that the plant was utilizing the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) seal without authorization. Furthermore, the products were found to be manufactured using harmful artificial dyes, saccharin, and synthetic flavors, with no disclosure of ingredients listed on the packaging. The low-quality goods were primarily distributed to remote rural areas.
DNCRP Assistant Director Asaduzzaman Rumel, who led the raid alongside the District Safe Food Officer and local security personnel, stated that the owner, Sirajul Islam, had been operating the site for several years under these deceptive practices. The owner was penalized under the Consumer Rights Protection Act and warned against further non-compliance.
In a separate operation conducted the same afternoon in the Betila area of Manikganj Sadar, authorities inspected the “London Cafe Hotel and Restaurant.” The establishment was fined 50,000 BDT after officials discovered unsanitary conditions, the sale of stale food, the use of expired bread in burger production, and the application of prohibited flavoring agents in their dishes.
The combined fines for the two establishments totaled 150,000 BDT. Officials emphasized that these inspections are part of a broader, ongoing campaign to safeguard public health and ensure regulatory standards are maintained across the food service and manufacturing sectors.
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