Parliament has passed a new legislation, titled the "Production, Storage, Transfer, Transport, Supply, Distribution and Marketing of Foodstuffs (Prevention of Harmful Activities) Act 2023," aimed at regulating the food industry and protecting consumers.
The law imposes stringent penalties, including life imprisonment or up to 14-year sentences for illegal hoarding of foodstuffs. Marketing products under false names, compromising food nutrition, and producing without or with an expired license are among the offenses punishable under the new law.
Key Provisions
Illegal hoarding of foodstuffs can result in life imprisonment or a sentence of up to 14 years.
Marketing products with fictitious names is punishable with a two-year prison sentence or a fine of up to Tk 1 million.
Removing natural elements from food, thus destroying nutritional value, or mixing harmful substances is also punishable.
Producing food without a license or with an expired license, or exceeding permitted ingredient limits are considered offenses.
Providing false information to consumers can result in a five-year jail term, a Tk 1.5 million fine, or both.
If a company is found guilty, the executives, partners, and employees involved can be punished unless they can prove unawareness of the offenses.
The law was framed by the food ministry, integrating the Food Special Court Act 1956 and the Food Grain Supply (Prevention of Prejudicial Activities) Ordinance 1979.
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder had mentioned earlier that the government was preparing a law to tackle deceptive practices such as labeling polished rice with false names.
During the discussion on the new law, MP Fakhrul Imam of Jatiya Party suggested that halting rice polishing could save 400,000 tonnes of the staple. Mokobbir Khan of the Gono Forum highlighted the need for major policy changes as, despite having a food surplus, Bangladesh struggles to ensure food security.
Peer Fazlur Rahman of the Jatiya Party criticized a provision that punishes individuals for storing food beyond permitted levels, even if not for profiteering, with fines or up to three months in jail. He argued that the law should not punish individuals for actions they have not committed.
Another Jatiya Party MP, Kazi Firoz Rashid, feared that the law could be exploited by dishonest officials to extort bribes from farmers by threatening them with severe penalties. He expressed worries that farmers might be panic-stricken.
Minister Sadhan responded to the concerns, reassuring that farmers should not worry as the new law would make it easier to identify actual hoarders, and more clarity will be provided in the schedules of the law.
BDST: 0930 HRS, JULY 06, 2023
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