BSS, Dhaka :
The government will start implementing the “Safe Food Act 2013” from February 1 which envisages provisions of awarding five years imprisonment or Taka 20 lakh as maximum fine to fight against food adulteration and protect public health.
“The government has taken an initiative to implement the law from February 1 for ensuring supply of safe food to the people,” Food Minister Quamrul Islam today told journalists at a press conference at his ministry office here.
Under the law, for the first time anyone can file cases to “Pure Food Court” within 30 days of any incident of food adulteration. The law has the provision to award one to five years imprisonment to the guilty or realize fines from Taka 4 to 20 lakh against 23 different kinds of charges.
The minister urged the media to come forward for carrying out campaign about the new law. “People will only be aware about the law and their rights if the media conducts extensive campaign on it,” he said.
In our country, he said, there are many laws related to preserving public rights, but those would not be implemented properly due to lack of awareness.
“I hope, we would be able to check food adulteration and its sale if the media will step forward firmly in this regard,” he said.
In October 2013, the government framed the safe food act amid rising health threats and widespread food adulteration through the use of chemicals.
The new law aims to combat food adulteration in all stages of the supply chain and look at a variety of other food-related concerns of the consumers.
The Bangladesh Pure Food (amendment) Act 2005 is currently in effect.
The government will start implementing the “Safe Food Act 2013” from February 1 which envisages provisions of awarding five years imprisonment or Taka 20 lakh as maximum fine to fight against food adulteration and protect public health.
“The government has taken an initiative to implement the law from February 1 for ensuring supply of safe food to the people,” Food Minister Quamrul Islam today told journalists at a press conference at his ministry office here.
Under the law, for the first time anyone can file cases to “Pure Food Court” within 30 days of any incident of food adulteration. The law has the provision to award one to five years imprisonment to the guilty or realize fines from Taka 4 to 20 lakh against 23 different kinds of charges.
The minister urged the media to come forward for carrying out campaign about the new law. “People will only be aware about the law and their rights if the media conducts extensive campaign on it,” he said.
In our country, he said, there are many laws related to preserving public rights, but those would not be implemented properly due to lack of awareness.
“I hope, we would be able to check food adulteration and its sale if the media will step forward firmly in this regard,” he said.
In October 2013, the government framed the safe food act amid rising health threats and widespread food adulteration through the use of chemicals.
The new law aims to combat food adulteration in all stages of the supply chain and look at a variety of other food-related concerns of the consumers.
The Bangladesh Pure Food (amendment) Act 2005 is currently in effect.
