Restaurants and pharmacies in Chattogram penalized Tk76,000 for infractions against consumer rights
In a recent drive conducted by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP), five businesses in Chattogram city were fined a total of Tk76,000 for various hygiene and food safety violations. The drive, which took place in the Kotwali area, specifically on Station Road under Kotwali Police Station, aimed to ensure consumer rights and public safety.
The fines were issued due to a range of offences, with three of the fined businesses being restaurants: Gulistan Hotel, Azadi Hotel, and Biryani Restaurant. Gulistan Hotel was fined Tk10,000 for using rotten eggs and preparing food in an unclean environment, while Azadi Hotel and Biryani Restaurant were fined Tk50,000 each for having cockroach infestations and an extremely unhygienic kitchen. Goni Hotel was fined Tk10,000 for using industrial salt in food preparation and failing to maintain proper cleanliness.
Two of the fined businesses were pharmacies. Shafi Inani Pharmacy faced a Tk 4,000 fine for tampering with price tags and selling medicines at inflated prices, while Kader Pharmacy was fined Tk2,000 for selling expired medicine.
These violations highlight critical risks such as contamination, foodborne illnesses, and compromised consumer safety caused by inadequate hygiene and food safety management in Chattogram's food and pharmaceutical establishments. Deputy Director Fayez Ullah emphasised that these actions are being taken in the public interest, and the DNCRP urges all business owners to maintain proper standards.
The DNCRP has stated that similar drives will continue in the future to ensure consumer rights and public safety. The authorities have warned all the fined businesses against repeating such offenses. The DNCRP encourages consumers to report any suspected violations to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all.
The drive conducted by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) highlighted critical issues in Chattogram's food and pharmaceutical establishments, such as the use of rotten eggs, cockroach infestations, selling of expired medicine, and tampering with price tags. These violations pose risks like contamination, foodborne illnesses, and compromised consumer safety. The DNCRP has urged all business owners to maintain proper standards and has encouraged consumers to report any suspected violations, ensuring a safe and healthy lifestyle for all. Future drives will continue to focus on ensuring consumer rights and public safety, including in the realms of medical-conditions, health-and-wellness, food-and-drink, and fitness-and-exercise, and addressing crime-and-justice issues such as improper labeling and the sale of expired items. Shopping and general-news outlets should also prioritize consumer safety and promote transparency.
