The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) submitted to the High Court on Tuesday guidelines with provision for forming a national committee to monitor the use of harmful chemicals in fruits, sources said.
The MoC prepared the guidelines as an interim measure until the Safe Food Authority starts functioning to check ripening fruits through mixing deadly chemicals and food adulteration.
"W e submitted the guidelines on Tuesday last to the High Court. The guidelines will work as an interim measure until start of functioning of the Safe Food Authority," Senior Secretary of the MoC Md Hedayetullah Al Mamoon told the FE on Wednesday.
He said the Safe Food Act, 2013, Special Powers Act, 1974, Consumers Rights Protection Act, 2009 and penal code 1860 and other relevant laws will be followed while implementing the guidelines.
The MoC prepared the guidelines over the last six months as per the High Court's verdict following a writ petition filed on July 22 last year. The government has already enacted the Safe Food Act-2013 to ensure food safety of the consumers.
He said the formation process of the Safe Food Authority (SFA) is going on.
"We hope that the SFA will be formed within the next three months," the senior secretary said.
A section of profit monger traders mix chemicals for ripening fruits that are harmful for human body. The guidelines will help the government to take legal actions against the persons involved in mixing chemicals in fruits.
As per the guidelines there will be a central monitoring committee. An additional secretary of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) will be the head of the committee.
The members of the committee will be from the Ministry of Health and Family Planning, MoC, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Agriculuture, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Directorate of National Consumers Rights Protection (DNCRP), Bangladesh Tariff Commission (BTC), National Board of Revenue (NBR), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) and Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI).
The members on the committee from the ministries and departments would enjoy the status equivalent to a joint secretary.
Besides, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) will also have their representatives to the committee.
The committee will examine the registers of the parties concerned to check the volume of purchase and sale of chemicals such as calcium carbide and PGR (plant growth regulators). If the committee finds any irregularities, then the DNCRP and the district magistrate will take legal measures against the offenders.
Besides, it will make the mass people aware about the deadly use of harmful chemicals such as calcium carbide and PGR for ripening mango, jackfruits, black berry, litchis, pineapple, guava, banana and papaya.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com
Guidelines submitted to HC with provision to form safe food body
FE Report | Published: January 22, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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