The National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate has fined two businesses a combined 70,000 taka for preparing food in unhygienic conditions and operating without the required license, in the Darshana area of Damurhuda, Chuadanga.
The monitoring drive was carried out in the Darshana area from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
According to sources involved in the operation, it was led by Chuadanga district office Assistant Director Mohammad Mamunul Hasan. Alongside monitoring markets for essential goods and food products, the team searched various bakeries and food-production businesses.
During the drive, Messrs Rimi Food, owned by Md Jamal Mia, was fined 10,000 taka for operating without a license and using unauthorized dyes and flavoring.
Muslim Fast Food and Bakery was later fined 60,000 taka for the same offense, along with using industrial salt in its food and preparing food in extremely unhygienic conditions.
Under the relevant provisions of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009, the two businesses were fined a combined 70,000 taka, which was collected on the spot. The bakeries were also given strict instructions to promptly update their required paperwork and ensure hygienic conditions.
After the drive, Assistant Director Mohammad Mamunul Hasan said such monitoring operations would continue regularly across the district to protect consumer interests and ensure a supply of adulteration-free food.
The operation was supported by, among others, Damurhuda upazila Sanitary Inspector Niyamat Ali, Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) member Md Rafiqul Islam, and a team from Chuadanga district police.