Factory Producing Counterfeit Ice Cream Under Fictitious Brand Fined Heavily
The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection in Bangladesh has fined the owner of an ice cream factory in Saturia Upazila, Manikganj, 100,000 Taka for producing and marketing ice cream under the brand name 'Milk Mita'. The factory, established several years ago by Sirajul Islam, was found to be using a logo similar to the well-known 'Milk Vita' brand. Investigations revealed that the factory was operating without proper authorization and was using the mark of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) without permission. Furthermore, the ice cream was being made with harmful coloring agents, saccharin, and artificial flavors. These counterfeit products were primarily supplied to remote villages in the upazila. The raid was conducted based on a tip-off, and evidence of these irregularities was found. The operation was led by Assistant Director of the Directorate, Asaduzzaman Rumel, along with officials from the District Safe Food Office and the Ansar battalion. In a separate incident on the same day, a restaurant in Manikganj Sadar Upazila, 'London Cafe Hotel & Restaurant', was fined 50,000 Taka for selling stale food, using expired bread for burgers, and employing forbidden kewra water in food preparation. The restaurant's manager, Kuddus Mia, was penalized for these violations, which occurred in an unsanitary environment. In total, 150,000 Taka in fines were imposed on both establishments, and they were warned against future misconduct. The Directorate stated that such operations will continue to protect consumer interests.
This incident highlights significant regulatory gaps and enforcement challenges within Bangladesh's food industry. The dual violations—counterfeiting a national brand and using substandard ingredients, alongside unsanitary restaurant practices—suggest a systemic issue rather than isolated incidents. The use of BSTI marks without authorization points to potential corruption or severe procedural failures within the certification bodies themselves. The strategy of targeting remote villages with substandard products indicates a calculated effort to exploit less informed consumer bases. Moving forward, strengthening supply chain transparency, enhancing BSTI's oversight mechanisms, and implementing robust consumer education programs will be crucial. Furthermore, the economic incentives for such illicit operations, particularly the cost savings from using cheaper, harmful ingredients, need to be addressed through deterrent penalties and potentially by exploring alternative, affordable, and safe ingredient sourcing for legitimate businesses.
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