The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) on Monday fined two fish and poultry feed manufacturers a total of Tk 800,000 for producing and marketing feed without obtaining mandatory BSTI licences and package registration certificates in Gazipur.

During a mobile court drive conducted Kaliakair upazila, the court inspected Japfa Comfeed Bangladesh Pvt Ltd at Telirchala and found that the company had been selling and distributing poultry feed without a BSTI Certification Mark (CM) licence and packaged goods registration certificate.

The mobile court fined the company Tk 500,000 under the BSTI Act, 2018 and the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 2018.

In a separate raid at Krishiponno Feeds Ltd in the Bhannara area, inspectors found that the company had been producing and marketing poultry and fish feed without the required BSTI licence and packaged goods registration certificate. The court also found evidence that the company was marketing its products using sacks bearing the names of different companies.

The establishment was fined Tk 300,000 under the same laws.

Both companies were instructed to immediately apply for BSTI CM licences and packaged goods registration certificates. They were also warned that stricter legal action would be taken if they failed to comply.

The mobile court was led by BSTI Executive Magistrate Lutfunnesa Khanam with assistance from the Gazipur District Police.

BSTI Field Officer Md Khaled Hossain served as the prosecuting officer, while Engineer Arnab Chakraborty and Inspector Engineer Mohiuddin Warechi participated in the drive.

BSTI Gazipur Regional Office Deputy Director and Office Head S M Talat Mahmud and Assistant Director Md Saidur Rahman also provided overall support during the operation.

BSTI said such enforcement drives will continue regularly to ensure the supply of safe and quality products in the market and protect consumers' interests.