The government on Monday approved on principle the draft of ‘Safe Food Act-2013’ that proposes provision of maximum jail term of seven years.
The penalty will double if the offence is repeated.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Cabinet approved the draft.
Cabinet Secretary Muhammed Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan briefed the media after the meeting.
Though earlier he had said that the law would have provision for death penalty in some ‘special cases’ of adulteration, he later corrected his statement.
A source at the Ministry of Food said the information provided to the Secretary for the media briefing was to be blamed for the misunderstanding. “It was misprinted.”
The draft says that a body will be formed to monitor quality of food and to stop sale of adulterated or low-quality edibles.
The law will allow mobile and penal courts to judge food crimes under 22 categories and give punishment ranging from jail to fine and in some ‘special cases’ even death penalty.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet also approved a draft proposal to ban commercials of baby-food as an alternative to breast-milk.
Source: Bd news24