The government has given its final nod to the draft ‘Safe Food Act-2013’, providing for a maximum of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of Tk 500,000 for food adulteration.
A regular Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on Monday gave the approval.
“Bangladesh’s food security will be ensured once the Act is promulgated,” said Cabinet Secretary Muhammed Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan.
A body named ‘Bangladesh Safe Food Institution’ will be formed under the Act to ensure the quality of food products and prevent the sale of substandard stuff.
The draft, which prescribed a maximum 7-year jail term and fines ranging from Tk 500,000 to Tk 2 million, was approved in principle on Jul 1.
It proposed doubling the penalty if offences were repeated.
The mobile and penal courts would be authorised to try food-related crimes under 22 categories and to award sentences ranging from jail terms to fines.
The proposed law provides for different penalties like two-year imprisonment for making false claims about food items in advertisements, and three years for the selling of food products by people with contagious diseases.
A national safe food management advisory panel, headed by the Prime Minister, will be formed to give directions to the authorities.
The Cabinet Secretary said there would be a technical committee and an experts’ panel to ensure safe food quality.
Source: Bd news24
