The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) found no proof against the reported presence of any animal meat other than mutton in kacchi biriyani of Sultan's Dine.
It was revealed at a press briefing hosted by the DNCRP after conducting a hearing on the restaurant chain on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) also cleared that they found no animal meat other than mutton during a drive at Gulshan outlet of the eatery.
Sultan's Dine is one of the leading biriyani outlets in Bangladesh having 10 branches in Dhaka, Chattogram and Narayanganj.
On March 02, a Facebook status of an individual claimed that a customer was delivered kacchi made with the meat of an animal other than goat.The post went viral on different social media platforms, which forced the DNCRP to conduct an investigation into the matter, DNCRP director general Mohammad Shafiquzzaman told the briefing.
The DNCRP launched a drive, led by its official Abdul Jabbar Mondal, on March 09. The directorate summoned Sultan's Dine to attend the hearing on Monday morning. After the hearing, the directorate delivered a statement to the media, which said the charges against Sultan's Dine were not proved.
The DNCRP investigation finds that Sultan's Dine outsources mutton from a Kaptanbazar-based outlet named 'Maa-Babar Doa Gosto Bitan'. Restaurant officials sometimes visit the shop. According to the DNCRP release, the vendor delivers meat to the restaurant under its own responsibility.
Concerning thin bones found in kacchi, the restaurateur said a goat weighing 7.0-9.0 kg were being used. That's why, the bones were thinner.
However, the mobile number '01723309902' from which a complaint was raised against the restaurant was found switched off, said the DNCRP.
Confirming this matter, Jabbar said, "After reviewing the investigation and the statements of the representatives of Sultan's Dine, the directorate has decided to exempt them from the complaint."
The BFSA conducted the drive on March 09. When asked, BFSA chairman Md Abdul Kayowm Sarker told the FE that they did not find any proof of the use of other animal meat than mutton.
"But the restaurant has been warned for not complying with the hygienic standard," he said.
"We have given them a deadline to improve their hygienic standard by March 20," he continued.
Sazid Zaman, founder of Sultan's Dine, told the FE that they are working relentlessly to improve the hygiene level as per the BFSA guideline.
He urged the government to ensure the scientific proof of any allegation to safeguard such good brands for the greater consumer interests.
Mr Zaman said Sultan's Dine has already started work to revamp its total supply chain with an eye to ensuring best-quality products for fans and lovers.
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