The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection has fined two bakeries a total of BDT 18,000 in Adamdighi Upazila, Bogra, on charges of producing food items in unhygienic environments and failing to mention production and expiry dates on their products. Concurrently, 10 trays of cakes deemed harmful to public health were publicly destroyed. This special supervisory operation was conducted last Sunday (August 30) from 11 AM to 1 PM in the Probasipara area of Adamdighi Upazila, generating significant discussion among local residents.
According to a press release issued by the Bogra District Branch of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, 'Sobuj Bakery' in the Probasipara area was fined BDT 15,000 for serious offenses such as not using production and expiry dates on products, making cakes with ink-stained paper, and generally producing food items in unhygienic conditions. Beyond the financial penalty, 10 trays of cakes made with ink-stained paper were seized from this bakery and immediately destroyed in public. This clearly indicates the Directorate's strict and uncompromising stance on protecting public health.
In the same operation, another establishment in the area, 'New Azad Bakery,' was also fined. The allegation against this bakery was that they were not correctly mentioning the production and expiry dates on their manufactured products, which amounts to deceiving consumers. For this serious lapse in providing accurate information about food products, New Azad Bakery was fined BDT 3,000. A total of BDT 18,000 was collected in fines from the two bakeries, which is considered a significant and effective step against consumer rights violations.
This important supervisory operation was conducted by Md. Mehedi Hasan, Assistant Director of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, Bogra. Md. Kamal Hossain, Sanitary Inspector of Adamdighi Upazila, provided significant assistance in this activity led by him. Additionally, a smart team from the district police was present to help maintain overall security and order, which is essential for the success of such a public-interest operation. This combined effort reflects administrative firmness and coordinated action in protecting consumer rights.
Ensuring the quality of food products and production in a hygienic environment is a fundamental right of consumers. Maintaining this standard is particularly crucial for daily food items like bakery products. Producing food in unhygienic conditions and failing to mention accurate product information, such as production and expiry dates, is not only a legal violation but also poses a severe direct threat to public health. Such operations by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection play a highly effective role in preventing the spread of adulterated and substandard food items and help raise public awareness.
Assistant Director of the operation, Md. Mehedi Hasan, informed the media that such supervisory operations would continue in the public interest and to protect consumer rights. He further noted that these operations play a crucial role in increasing consumer awareness and fostering a culture among businesses to adhere to policies and regulations. He expressed hope that such operations would be intensified in various regions of the country, including Bogra, in the future, to ensure that there is no compromise on food quality and that consumers can access safe food.
This operation is expected to serve as a warning to the local bakery industry. Businesses must be more diligent in ensuring the quality, hygiene, and accurate information of their manufactured products. The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in the market system through its activities, which will create a healthy and safe environment for consumers and honest businesses in the long run. These measures will help restore public trust and ensure safe food, which is essential for a healthy and prosperous society.
