A team of National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate in a drive realised Tk 15,000 in fine from 3 seasonal traders on charge of making adulterated date molasses by mixing sugar, stale molasses and lime with poisonous chemicals and destroyed 10 mons of adulterated date molasses in Harirampur upazila of Manikganj.
The team led by assistant director of the National Consumer Rights Protection Department in Manikganj, Asaduzzaman Rumel conducted the drive in Hapania and Gopinathpur villages of Harirampur upazila from 5:30 am to 10 am on Tuesday.
The AD said, "Based on secret information, we came to know that some unscrupulous seasonal traders are making three to four ounces of date molasses adulterated by mixing sugar and lime in different proportions with stale molasses brought from Rajshahi."
Shimul of Hapania village in Harirampur was fined Tk 4,000, Ramzan Ali Tk 10,000 and a man from Gopinathpur Majampara village Tk 1,000 for making adulterated molasses.
At the same time, about 10 mons of adulterated date molasses have been destroyed. The adulterators have given a bond that they will not prepare adulterated date molasses in future.
Nazrul Islam, Sanitary Inspector of Harirampur Upazila. Nazrul Islam is a member of Ansar Battalion in Manikganj.
Asaduzzaman Rumel said “We are taking stern actions against the errant businesses involved with adulterating foods. Apart from sentencing the unscrupulous traders with imprisonment, we are slapping fine on them,”.
Expressing his grave concern over massive food adulteration, Manikganj Civil Surgeon Dr Khorshed Alom Akhndo said: “Harmful chemicals applied on food items for colouring, brightness and freshness damage liver and kidney, and cause respiratory problem, cancer and allergy.”