BSTI steps up efforts to ensure product quality and fair price

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) is going to conduct drives in the holy month of Ramadan, aiming at ensuring the quality of products and checking price manipulation.

Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun made the announcement at a press briefing held at the BSTI office in the capital city on Sunday.

"BSTI will take legal action against traders found selling adulterated foods, manipulating weights, or selling commodities at higher prices during Ramadan," he said.

"Food adulterators, regardless of their size, will not be spared if irregularities are found during Ramadan. We will show zero tolerance against food adulterators," he warned.

The minister said that three mobile courts of BSTI will carry out drives during Ramadan in the capital.

Besides, the BSTI teams with the help of local administration will also carry out drives at the district and upazila levels, he said.

The minister further said that during the drives, the BSTI teams will keep extra vigil on products that are widely consumed during Ramadan.

Also, the BSTI teams will monitor standards and prices of items like fruits, fruit juice, puffed rice, dates, soft drinks, carbonated beverages, mustard oil, ghee, pasteurized milk, vermicelli, dextrose, monohydrate, and other items.

Mr Humayun advised customers to check BSTI's approval before booking/making orders to purchase any products online.

He said the BSTI started issuing halal certificates to products and 88 products have already received such certification.

He advised the consumers to call at BSTI hotline number 16119 to ensure the quality of products.

Industries Secretary Zakia Sultana and Director General of BSTI SM Ferdous Alam were present at the press briefing.