Babul Akhter Rana, Naogaon
Adulterated molasses is being made without using any sugarcane juice by a group of unscrupulous traders at Mohadevpur upazila in the district under the very nose of authorities concerned. Molasses is supposed to be produced by refining sugarcane into sugar. But without using sugarcane as an ingredient, adulterated molasses is being produced mixing low quality sugar bits with flour, hydroze, maze, soda, alum, sugar beets and other dangerously harmful chemicals at Mominpur village at Safapur union under Mahadevpur upazila in the district.
Abusing the high demand for molasses, those greedy traders are producing harmful adulterated molasses in the upazila and later distributing it across the country managing the concerned officials through alleged bribery. It has been learnt that for the last 15 years, one Abdul Aziz, son of Shamser Ali from Mominpur village is involved in producing the fake molasses at his own home mixing low quality sugar bits with flour, hydroze, maze, soda, alum, sugar beets and other chemicals dangerously harmful for human bodies.
Local sources said Aziz produces maunds of fake molasses and distribute it in the markets. “Although real molasses are also available in market, they are not in plenty. To attract the buyers’ attention, producers of fake molasses make the product whitish and shiny; as a result, buyers are buying those harmful product. Real molasses looks a bit dark in colour what discourages the potential buyers,” said concerned sources. In consequence, tasteless fake molasses is flooding the market,” said concerned sources.
Khademul Islam, a resident of Mominpur village told the Bangladesh Post: “Abdul Aziz is producing fake molasses for long 15 years, but local administration is not taking any step.” Aziz did not respond even after repeated calls over the phone. Upazila Health and Family Planning Official Dr Akhtaruzzaman Alal said, “Eating such fake molasses can bring about diseases related to kidney and liver. It can cause cancer also.”
Consumer Association of Bangladesh Naogaon chapter general secretary Imrul Kayes demanded to bring the producers of fake molasses under control of law. Acting Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Mohadevpur Asma Khatun claimed ignorance over the issue. She said if the allegation is proved true, stern action will be taken against the miscreants.
