Pure Food Court fines four Chattogram food establishments Tk 40 lakh for serious safety violations. Photo : BSS

CHATTOGRAM, Aug 23, 2026 (BSS)- The Pure Food Court has imposed a fine of Taka 40 lakh following inspections of four food establishments in the city.
 
The summary judicial operations were carried out from Saturday morning across various food establishments in the city. The drive was led by Mohammad Mostafa, metropolitan magistrate and first-class magistrate, Judge of the Chattogram Metropolitan Pure Food Court.

Mohammad Farhan Islam, the Metropolitan Safe Food Officer of the Bangladesh Safe Food Authority (BSFA) Chattogram Metropolitan Office, disclosed the details on Sunday.

The establishments that received fines are-- Flavors Sweets and Bakery Factory, Meridian Food Products Limited, Utshob Super Shop, and Rio Cafe Mazaydar. 

Of the fined money, Flavours Sweets and Bakery was fined Taka 19 lakh while Meridian Food Products Limited and Utshob Supershop were fined Taka 10 lakh each and Rio Cafe-Mazaydar was fined Taka one lakh. The court has also ordered prison sentences for those responsible in default of payment.

Court sources indicate that evidence was uncovered showing that Flavors Sweets and Bakery Factory was manufacturing bakery items with substandard 
ghee, utilizing and storing leftover spoiled sweets, keeping expired sweets, cakes, and biscuits, failing to properly level food products, and producing food in unsanitary conditions. 

Moreover, irregularities such as broken tiles, filthy drainage systems, the use of soiled blankets for curd production, the presence of insect-infested 
nuts, the processing of food with unclean equipment, and the storage of expired food in freezers were also identified.

As a result of these violations, the company was fined Taka 19 lakh. In the event of non-compliance, a three-month prison sentence was also imposed.

Meridian Food Products Limited was discovered to have inadequately managed the quality of various chips, noodles, and mango bars, operating in an 
unsanitary environment, with the presence of cockroaches and insects in the mango pulp drum, as well as broken and greasy floors and the use of burnt oil. So, the company was fined Taka 10 lakh. 

In the event of non-compliance, a three-month prison sentence was imposed. Utshob Super Shop was found to have committed irregularities such as the storage and sale of expired momos, spoiled chili, spices, and chocolate, as well as storing meat in unsanitary conditions, lacking proper labeling on imported products, failing to provide information about the importer, selling unregistered baby food and food supplements without authorization, and processing beef and mutton on the same equipment.

Besides, evidence was uncovered indicating the use of its own stickers to obscure the nutritional information of products and the sale of pickles and domestic items without the required registration. 

For these violations, the company was fined Taka 10 lakh, with a three-month prison sentence imposed for non-compliance. At Rio Cafe- Mazaydar, evidence 
revealed the processing and sale of food in unsanitary conditions, the storage of rotten and stale food, non-adherence to employee hygiene regulations, and operation without the necessary registration and certification. 

The company was fined Taka one lakh, with a 10-day prison sentence imposed for non-compliance. 

Mohammad Farhan Islam stated, "Numerous serious irregularities that pose a risk to public health have been identified in food establishments, not merely minor infractions. The court has implemented necessary actions in accordance with the Food Safety Act. Food traders must exercise greater diligence in producing and selling food in a hygienic and quality-controlled environment."

He also mentioned that such enforcement actions will persist in the public interest while establishments granted time to enhance their quality will also be monitored closely.