Safe Food Act drives: 67 lacs Taka in fines, 25 cases filed in a week

The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) has collected 67 lacs taka in fines and filed 25 cases against food establishments across the country in a week for violating the Safe Food Act, 2013.

The enforcement drives were conducted in Dhaka and different districts from August 16 to 22, alongside summary trials led by judges of the Pure Food Court and magistrates.

Abul Hasnat, public relations officer of the BFSA, told Daily Waadaa about the enforcement activities.

According to the BFSA, four establishments in the Chattogram metropolitan area were fined Tk 4 million in total on August 22. Legal action was taken against the establishments during a summary trial led by the judge of the Pure Food Court and a metropolitan magistrate, in the presence of a food safety officer. Four cases were also filed.

In Dhaka metropolitan area, BFSA officials conducted drives at seven establishments during the same period. Three establishments were fined Tk 300,000 in total for violating the law, while three cases were filed.

Outside Dhaka, mobile courts were conducted at 15 establishments in Pabna, Bogura, Madaripur, Narsingdi, Brahmanbaria, Faridpur, Gazipur, Chattogram, Nilphamari, Lakshmipur and Manikganj between August 16 and 22.

The drives resulted in Tk 2.4 million in fines and 15 cases.

Meanwhile, a summary trial was held in Brahmanbaria on August 17 under the leadership of the judge of the Pure Food Court and a senior judicial magistrate. Although no fines were imposed, three regular cases were filed.

Alongside enforcement, the BFSA has intensified monitoring of food establishments to ensure food safety.

Over the past week, officials monitored 220 establishments, including markets, hotels and restaurants, bakeries, sweet shops, and food production and processing facilities.

The monitoring focused on compliance with food safety regulations in food production, storage, processing, serving and marketing. The authorities also provided necessary instructions to establishments and took legal action where required.

BFSA Chairman Md Shafiqul Islam said ensuring food safety is not merely a matter of enforcing laws; it is directly linked to protecting public health and building a healthy generation.

“Alongside taking action against violations, we are giving equal importance to encouraging food businesses and producers to act responsibly, conducting regular monitoring, research and public awareness activities,” he said.

He added that preventive measures would be strengthened alongside punitive actions to ensure people’s right to safe food.