Foods, Drinks Contain Excessive Preservatives
BSTI orders withdrawal of 8 product variants from 4 companies
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The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) has ordered the immediate withdrawal of eight product variants of four companies from the market after laboratory tests found that they failed to meet the Bangladesh Standards (BDS).
According to a BSTI statement issued today, the products were found to have quality deviations, including excessive preservatives, the presence of harmful microorganisms and non-compliance with prescribed standards.
BSTI said Fresh Garden Agro Resources' mango pickle (Batch No. FGMP200G0426) contained preservative levels exceeding the permissible limit.
Kazi Food Industries Ltd.'s Bellisimo brand Rotondo Hazelnut Coated Chocolate ice cream (Batch No. 26050101A) was found to contain total milk solids non-fat above the level specified under the national standard.
Laboratory tests also detected harmful microorganisms in five cosmetic products of Olive Bangladesh Ltd. These include Labonno brand Milk Skin Lotion (Batch No. 2961104A), Aloe Vera Skin Lotion (Batch No. 2961204A), Olive and Labonno brand Face wash Moringa+Matcha (Batch No. 2951404A), Foaming Milk and Tulsi Face wash (Batch No. 2951204A), and Labonno brand Aloe Vera Shampoo (Batch No. 2921304A).
In addition, Deco Foods Ltd.'s Deco Fruit Funda brand mango and orange-flavoured soft drink powder (Batch No. 133) was found to contain vitamin C below the level required by the Bangladesh Standard.
BSTI said rejection notices have already been served on the respective companies, instructing them to suspend the production, sale and distribution of the products until their licences are renewed or approved.
The standards authority also directed the companies to immediately recall the products from distributors, dealers, retailers and markets across the country in the interest of public health and consumer protection.
BSTI said it would closely monitor compliance with the recall order and warned that strict legal action would be taken under existing laws and regulations against any company failing to comply.
BSTI Director General (Secretary) Kazi Imdadul Haque said the organisation remains committed to ensuring consumers have access to quality products, stressing that quality is a consumer right.
He urged consumers to check the BSTI certification mark, licence number, manufacturing and expiry dates, and other relevant information before purchasing products.
He also requested the public to promptly report any complaints regarding product quality, adulteration, fraud or misuse of the BSTI certification mark.
