Dhaka, May 21 – After expressing dissatisfaction over the activity of Bangladesh Standards Testing Institute (BSTI) and Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), the High Court yesterday directed them to submit a report by June 23 after conducting lab test of raw cow milk, curd and fodder from the markets.
The HC bench comprising Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justic KM Hafizul Alam passed the order during hearing a suo moto rule issued by it on February 11.
Earlier on May 15, the High court had directed the BSTI and BFSA to submit a report detailing the names and relevant particular of the companies and persons responsible for adulteration of raw milk, curd and fodder and the steps are taken against them by June 23.
Professor Shahnila Ferdousi, head of national food safety laboratory (NFSL), yesterday appeared before the HC along with the study report in line with its previous directive.
The study was conducted after collecting 96 samples of cow raw milk, 30 of cow feed, 33 of curd and 31 of packed milk randomly from 18 places in Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj between August and December last year.
In the 93 samples out of market’s 96 liquid kinds of milk are found containing harmful substances for the human body, the report said.
According to the report, 18 out of 31 powdered fluid milk contains harmful substances for the human body.
The NFS
The study also found a high level of chromium in fodder and excessive presence of pesticides, antibiotics and bacteria in raw cow milk.
After appearing before the HC bench, Professor Shahnila Ferdousi told the court that the test report, prepared by her ogarnisation, is accurate as they tested the sample on international standard and
published the report after the results were published by some international organisations.
She also said that NFSA tested the samples of food in order to build awareness among the people. She also described the system of testing the food and publishing the report.
After that, the HC bench asked Professor Shahnila to submit her statement through swearing an affidavit before the HC bench within a month.
The HC bench expressed dissatisfaction while the BSTI raised a question over the test report submitted by the NFSA before the court.
Pointing its finger at the Barrister Sarker M Hasan Mamun, counsel for the BSTI, the HC bench said that you (BSTI) have taken the responsibility of conducting a test on various food items and others to ensure the safe food for the people. But, you (BSTI) are not doing your job properly. Why you are not able to find out the real truth through the test. The harmful substances were found from the international test, but you have failed to find out the adulteration of food, the HC bench asked.
“It will not be proper that you would only stay in air conditioner room,” the HC bench said.
“You (BSTI) are raising a question about the result of other organization’s examination. So, why you are not conducting the test and why you are not able to submit a test result before the HC bench even after passing of many days since the HC order,” the HC bench asked the BSTI lawyer.
Later, the BST lawyer sought HC directive to conduct test after collecting samples from the markets.
After that, the HC bench directed the BSTI and BFSA to submit a report by June 23 after conducting lab test of raw cow milk, curd and fodder from the markets in purview of rampant adulteration of food in the country.
The same bench had on May 14 issued a serious warning saying that the companies and individuals responsible for adulterating milk and curd, whoever they were, would not be spared and they must be punished.
None will be allowed to play ducks and drakes with people’s lives and health, as safe food is a fundamental right of people, the court said, asking, “How will the nation be built if the health of its future generation is not sound?”
Making the observation, the HC sought reports detailing the names and relevant particulars of companies and persons responsible for adulterating raw cow milk, curd and fodder and the steps taken against them.
Advocate Faridul Islam appeared on behalf of BFSA, Advocate Syed Mamun Mahbub appeared for ACC while deputy attorney general AKM Amin Uddin Manik represented the state during court proceedings. – Staff Reporter
