BSTI not doing enough: CAB

Bangladesh Standards and Tensing Institute (BSTI), the country’s only National Standards body, is not playing its due role in curbing the adulteration of foodstuffs, including the use of toxic chemicals, alleges the Consumers’ Association of Bangladesh (CAB).
CAB general secretary Humayun Kabir told UNB that all the regulatory bodies of the government, including the BSTI, must play an effective role in ensuring safe foods alongside strengthening the monitoring system and mobile court drives against dishonest traders who use toxic chemicals in foodstuffs.
Asked whether the regulatory bodies are playing their due roles in checking rampant food adulteration, he answered in the negative, but said that ensuring safe foods for all depends on the government’s good will.
He also demanded setting up of food courts in all districts in line with the Safe Food Act 2013 to ensure instant punishment for food adulterators.
Echoing Humayun Kabir, CAB president Kazi Farruque said the authorities concerned conduct mobile court drives against food adulterators only in special cases following news reports on the issue.