DHAKA: The High Court has sought a list of farms who are selling pasteurized milk in Dhaka without license of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI). 

The court also asked BSTI to submit the list to this court in this regard in two weeks.

The High Court bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and KM Hafizul Alam on Sunday (June 23) passed the order during hearing a Suo Moto rule on this issue.

BSTI says only 18 companies have license for sale of pasteurized milk.

Besides, the court ordered the defendants not to disturb Shahnila Ferdousi, the head of the National Food Safety Laboratory (NFSL), for her report about lead in cow milk. 

Meanwhile, according to the court order, BSTI submitted a report citing that they have collected 305 samples and tested those.

It also mentioned in the report that product of two companies were poor. 

The Bangladesh Safe Food Authority sought for one more month time to the court for submitting the report, citing that samples have been sent to five places.

The court, later, set July 15 for the next order.

Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik moved for the state while Advocate Syed Mamun Mahbub for the ACC, Advocate Mohammad Faridul Islam stood for Safe food authority, Sarker M.R. Hasan Mamun for BSTI.

Earlier on May 15, the HC summoned Dr Shahnila Ferdousi of NFSL at the Institute of Public Health to appear before it on May 21 and submit report on pesticides and antibiotic found in cow milk. 

The court, in its order on February 11, asked Professor Dr. Shahnila Ferdousi, technical manager of NFSL, to submit the report within 15 days. 

Later on May 21, she appeared before the High Court along with the report. 

According to a report published by a national daily on February 10, a study conducted by the National Food Safety Laboratory of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has found in raw cow milk excessive levels of lead, regular consumption of which is harmful to human health.

Following the day, the High Court directed ACC to enquire about the adulteration of milk, curd and cattle feed and to take legal action against those found responsible.

The court also ordered the authorities concerned to form a probe body to identify the individuals and businesses involved in adulteration of dairy products and cattle feed in three months.

Later on May 8, as per previous HC order, Food Safety Authority BFSA submitted a report on formation of a 16-member committee to find out those behind the adulteration of milk, curd and cattle feed.

Later, the court ordered BFSA to report on those found responsible for adulteration of milk, curd and cattle feed before it by May 15.

BDST: 1318 HRS, JUNE 23, 2019
RS/SMS