The Cabinet has approved in principle the draft of a proposed law to
stop misuse of formalin with up to 10 years in jail and Tk 500,000 in
fine for violations.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the cabinet meeting that approved
the draft of ‘Formalin Use Control Act, 2013’ on Monday.
“The Act is being proposed to put an end to formalin’s misuse,” said
Cabinet Secretary Muhammad Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, he said the misuse had reached
disconcerting proportions.
Recommendations for punishment of various durations were made under
this Act, said the Cabinet Secretary.
If one violates the conditions on sale of formalin,
He or she will be jailed for three to 10 years and have to pay fine of
Tk 500,000.
Similar punishment will be applicable for possessing formalin without licence.
Safe Food Act has already been approved, said the cabinet secretary.
The draft act will be finalised after scrutinising it closely to make
sure the Food Act does not clash with Formalin Use Control Act,” he
said.
The Food Safety Act has provision for punishment if one mixes formalin
in food, he said.
The new Act will be enforced to prohibit production, import, sale,
use, hoarding and any other business of formalin. – bdnews24.com
