Regulator to crack down on misleading info in food ads

The food safety watchdog will take actions for using any kind of misleading information in advertisements of food products.

Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) will fine advertisers who will hurt emotions of any communities, use obscene or indecent phrases or claim any food items as 'best' through promotional activities.

This was informed at a review meeting on the draft 'Food Safety (Advertisement and Claims) Regulations, 2024' held at the BFSA headquarters in the city on Monday.

"The languages, visuals, images or directions of the advertisements shall not be offensive to religious and political sentiments, non-communal spirits, social, cultural and moral values," the draft regulations say.

The regulations, prepared in the light of the Food Safety Act, also say that any such advertisements will be immediately called off.

Violation of any provision of the regulations shall be deemed violation of the Sections 41 and 42 of the Food Safety Act and shall be punishable in accordance with the provisions of Sections 58, 59 or 60 of the Act, according to the draft.

If any advertisement is published in violation of these regulations, the authorities shall direct the food business operator or advertiser concerned to immediately stop the advertisement and within the next 30 (thirty) days may provide revised advertising campaign instructions to eliminate the negative effects of the advertisement in the same medium in which the advertisement was published, the draft said.

BFSA Chairman Abdul Kayowm Sarker presided over the meeting while BFSA member Nazma Begum, former member Rezaul Karim, and professor of the Marketing Department of Dhaka University Dr Razia Begum, among others, were present.

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