Chattogram Pratidin
Chattogram: The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection has fined two establishments a total of Tk 315,000 following raids in the Hajipara and Aturar Depot areas of the city for preparing food using burnt oil, processing food in unhygienic conditions, and storing expired ingredients.
The monitoring drive was conducted in the areas on Monday (November 2).
During the operation, Aturar Depot Doctors Diagnostic was fined Tk 15,000 after expired reel agent was found stored in its refrigerator.
Meanwhile, an establishment named Pachajio Foods (Drips) was fined Tk 300,000 for using burnt oil in the preparation and processing of food products.
The establishment was also found preparing and packaging food in extremely unhygienic and unsanitary conditions. Cockroaches and rats were seen roaming around the food preparation area.
Rat droppings and human hair were found among the raw materials used for making sweets. The inspection also revealed that food products were being manufactured without following proper packaging procedures and that artificial cherries were being used.
Mohammad Faiz Ullah, Deputy Director of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, said that using burnt oil in food preparation and preparing food in unhygienic conditions pose serious risks to public health.
He added that the two establishments were fined a total of Tk 315,000 over these violations.
He further said that such drives would continue to ensure food safety for consumers. Business owners involved in food production and marketing are also being warned to comply with health and hygiene standards and proper packaging regulations.