Two food establishments in Cox’s Bazar have been fined a total of Tk 600,000, while steps have been taken to file regular cases against two others for violating food safety regulations.
Senior Judicial Magistrate and Magistrate of the Pure Food Court, Cox’s Bazar, S M Gias Uddin, conducted the summary judicial proceedings at different food establishments in Cox’s Bazar Sadar upazila on Saturday.
Jaman Hotel and Restaurant was fined Tk 300,000 under Section 33, as listed in the penalty schedule under Section 58 of the Safe Food Act, 2013, for maintaining an unhygienic food production environment, storing raw and cooked food in the same refrigerator and having pests at the food premises.
Shwapno Super Shop was also fined Tk 300,000 for storing raw fish, meat and fruits in the same refrigerator, using an unclean chopping board for cutting fish and keeping food products without proper labelling.
Meanwhile, Chowrangi Bakery was found storing food in newspapers and producing food in a highly dirty and unhygienic environment.
A substance identified as harmful to human health, a broken, dirty and slippery floor, unlabelled adulterated ghee, yoghurt covered with dirty cloth, an open dustbin and a toilet between the kitchen and storeroom were also found during the drive.
An Tk 800,000 fine was announced against the bakery under Sections 23 and 33 of the Safe Food Act. However, as the establishment allegedly defied the Pure Food Court’s order and did not cooperate with the overall operation, necessary steps were taken to file a regular case against it under the Safe Food Act, 2013.
Kasundi Restaurant Ltd was found operating in an unhygienic environment, with an open dustbin in the kitchen and imported food products without proper labelling.
Unlabelled bread, rotten and stale food, expired sour yoghurt, unauthorised colouring agents and karomcha (Carissa carandas) being sold in the name of cherries were also found. Rotten fish and other unlabelled food items were found stored in refrigerators.
The restaurant was fined Tk 300,000 under Section 33, as listed in the penalty schedule under Section 58 of the Safe Food Act, with seven days’ simple imprisonment in default.
However, due to its alleged failure to comply with the Pure Food Court’s order and lack of cooperation during the drive, necessary steps were also taken to file a regular case against the restaurant.
Officials and employees of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority’s Cox’s Bazar district office, food safety inspectors responsible for Cox’s Bazar municipality and Sadar upazila, as well as three teams comprising members of Special Response Battalion-15, Cox’s Bazar, Battalion Ansar and police, coordinated the operation.