Proposed formalin control law to have provision for life term jail: Tofail

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed  said Sunday the government will finalise the proposed Formalin Control Bill, 2013 incorporating a provision of life imprisonment, instead of existing 10 years' jail, as the maximum punishment for formalin-related offences, reports UNB.
He made the remarks while replying to a query at a press briefing after a meeting at the ministry.
the cabinet approved in principle the draft of the 'Formalin Control Bill, 2013' keeping a provision of maximum 10 years' imprisonment or Tk 0.5 million in fine for treating foodstuffs with the chemical on November 4, 2013,.
Later, the draft was sent to the Commerce Ministry for further scrutiny so that it does not conflict with the Food Safety Act.
Tofail also said the proposed law will be finalised soon and it will be sent to the cabinet for final approval.
He also expressed the hope that the law would reduce the misuse of formalin.
ATM Murtoza Reza Chowdhury, additional secretary of Commerce Ministry, said details about formalin use have been described in the law after consultation with teachers of Buet, Dhaka University and experts of Science Laboratory.
He also said a section of unscrupulous businessmen are using formalin in the foodstuffs after importing it taking permission for using it for research work.