The unsafe and substandard food items, manufactured by hundreds of illegal bakeries, are available in the markets on Kishoreganj. Even, some popular items are found which are contaminated with harmful chemicals.
The authorities concerned should take immediate steps to remove the adulterated and unhealthy food products from the markets in the interest of public health. Many people of Kishoreganj called upon the authorities concerned to stop production, selling or marketing of these substandard products and to take appropriate legal action against the persons responsible for producing, selling, marketing and supplying the products.
It was known that without approval from the BSTI, the illegal bakeries of Kishoreganj are manufacturing and selling their items freely in all the hats and bazaars of the district, including the municipality area. They are supplying the products under different brand names.
It is learned that that bakeries are producing and marketing the low quality products following the demand of various products, including biscuits and cakes, in the market. Shopkeepers at grocery and stationery malls, including big super stores in district town and various upazilas, are selling these shiny and cheaply priced standard products. Although the mobile court conducts operation sometimes, these products made in the bakeries remain available in the market.
There are various types of products scattered around. Workers are walking barefoot along these products. At this time, they can be seen sweating. The curds that are processed into flour are also impure and dirty. Flies flutter in pots placed in creams made with Dalda. Various types of bakery products, including bread, cakes and biscuits are being produced and marketed at various wrap without the expiration date.
BSTI, BDS number is not written in the wrapping of the food items including other foods. There is no mention of the date on which the wrap was manufactured or when it will expire. Health experts said that eating these foods can have serious health risks. Abdominal pain, body weakness and complex and difficult diseases are most likely to be infected.
An employee of a factory at Tarail upazila said that they do not produce any product during the day. The production of the products ends before dawn begins. At night, the commodity production ends at night due to less hassle of mobile court and police. Lavlu Mia, a tea-shop owner at Batrish area, said, “We sell tea and drink on footpath and run the family. No time to look at the production date. Customers don't ask for this anymore. They are buying these bakery products with tea or banana.”
Sanak President Saiful Haque Mollah Dulu said, “We cannot do anything because we have no guidance on this.” Additional District Magistrate Golam Mostafa said that the production of adulterated goods is a punishable offense. The district administration is always aware of this. “We will strictly suppress this issue and instructions are given in every upazila,” he said.