BFSA conducts 744 drives, fines Tk3 crore for food safety violations
The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) conducted 744 mobile court operations and enforcement drives across the country from February to September this year, imposing fines totalling nearly Tk 3 crore and securing seven prison sentences to curb food safety violations and protect public health.
BFSA Member (Enforcement) Anwarul Islam Sarker told BSS that the authority planned to intensify enforcement, strengthen food safety monitoring and expand its operations nationwide, particularly at the district level.
He said the ministry had been informed of the financial and institutional support needed to strengthen enforcement and monitoring activities.
“Ensuring food safety requires more than law enforcement,” Sarker said, adding that surveillance was being strengthened across the food supply chain, from production and processing to storage, transportation and marketing.
Research and technical initiatives were also underway to verify the purity of food ingredients and prevent the use of unauthorised colours, flavourings and harmful additives, he said.
Alongside enforcement, the BFSA has intensified inspections of food establishments, laboratory testing of food samples and public awareness campaigns to improve compliance with food safety standards.
According to BFSA statistics, the authority's headquarters and its district and metropolitan offices conducted 744 operations during the eight-month period.
In February, the headquarters conducted eight drives and imposed fines totalling Tk 6 lakh.
In March, it conducted six drives and fined violators Tk 4 lakh, while district and metropolitan offices carried out 77 operations, imposing fines of Tk 36.60 lakh and securing one prison sentence.
In April, the headquarters conducted 13 drives and imposed fines of Tk 3 lakh, while district and metropolitan offices carried out 76 operations and imposed fines of Tk 8.70 lakh.
In May, the headquarters conducted 11 drives and imposed fines of Tk 6 lakh. District and metropolitan offices conducted 74 operations, imposing fines of Tk 16 lakh and securing three prison sentences.
In June, the headquarters conducted 12 drives and imposed fines of Tk 4 lakh, while district and metropolitan offices carried out 72 operations, imposing fines of Tk 15 lakh and securing one prison sentence.
Enforcement activity increased in July, when the headquarters conducted 15 drives and imposed fines of Tk 6 lakh. District and metropolitan offices carried out 104 operations, imposing fines of Tk 42.26 lakh and securing one prison sentence.
In August, the headquarters conducted 25 drives and imposed fines of Tk 10 lakh, while district and metropolitan offices carried out 172 operations and imposed fines of Tk 75.37 lakh.
In September, the headquarters conducted 23 drives and imposed fines of Tk 12 lakh. District and metropolitan offices conducted 56 operations, imposing fines of Tk 39.20 lakh and securing one prison sentence.
Inspections in Dhaka uncovered various violations, including operating without registration, preparing food in unhygienic conditions, storing fish, meat and other food products without proper labelling, and failing to maintain health certificates for food handlers or provide evidence of pest-control measures.
Outside the capital, enforcement teams found irregularities such as producing chanachur by trampling ingredients underfoot, using burnt cooking oil, applying unauthorised chemical colours and manufacturing food in unhygienic environments.
Inspectors also found cockroaches and bedbugs at production facilities and detected the use of unauthorised ghee. The authorities imposed fines and initiated legal proceedings against those responsible.
Beyond mobile court operations, the BFSA monitored 1,307 food establishments between February and September. The inspections covered markets, hotels and restaurants, bakeries, sweet shops, and food production and processing facilities.
Officials assessed compliance with food safety regulations governing production, storage, preparation, serving, processing and marketing.
During the same period, the authority tested 1,210 food samples, including bottled water, edible oil, milk and dairy products, yoghurt, powdered spices, baby food and bakery products. The testing programme aims to identify potential food safety risks and strengthen oversight of products available to consumers.
The BFSA has also continued public awareness campaigns through television, radio and social media. Bangladesh Television is broadcasting awareness advertisements and scrolling messages, while Bangladesh Betar is airing audio messages. The authority is also disseminating images, reels and videos on food safety through social media platforms.
The campaigns focus on safe food consumption, hygienic food production and marketing, and consumer responsibilities in ensuring food safety.
The Safe Food Act, 2013 provides for financial penalties and imprisonment depending on the nature and severity of food safety offences. According to information provided by the authority, fines range from Tk 1 lakh to Tk 10 lakh, while prison terms range from six months to five years. Both penalties may apply in certain cases.
Bangladesh enacted the law in 2013 to strengthen food safety and established the BFSA in 2015 to oversee its implementation and coordinate related initiatives.
The right to adequate food is recognised under the international human rights framework, and Bangladesh is a signatory to relevant United Nations human rights instruments.
Other countries have also adopted laws to combat food adulteration and protect consumers. India's Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provides penalties for substandard and adulterated food, with stricter sanctions for harmful adulterants and unsafe products. Offences resulting in serious injury or death may attract more severe punishment.
China's Food Safety Law likewise provides for substantial financial penalties and licence cancellations for violations, while serious offences that threaten human health may lead to criminal punishment.
The BFSA plans to expand its enforcement and monitoring activities, with greater emphasis on district-level operations. Sustained progress will depend on consistent enforcement, reliable laboratory testing, stronger institutional capacity and compliance throughout the food supply chain.
