The Safe Food Court in Bangladesh has issued arrest warrants for top executives of three major companies, including Nestlé Bangladesh, Meghna Group, and SA Group, over allegations of selling adulterated and substandard food products. The warrants were issued against the managing director and public policy manager of Nestlé Bangladesh, the chairman of Meghna Group, and the chairman of SA Group. The action was taken after a safe food inspector at Dhaka South City Corporation submitted applications to the court, citing test results that showed the companies’ products did not meet safety standards.
The tests were conducted on samples of KitKat chocolates, Fresh Refined Sugar, and Goalini Full Cream Milk Powder, which were collected from various outlets in Dhaka. The results showed that the products were of low quality and contained high levels of adulterants, including moisture, sulphur dioxide, and low levels of essential nutrients. The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority confirmed the filing of the cases and the issuance of the warrants, with the next hearing scheduled for December 15.
Nestlé Bangladesh has defended itself, stating that it imports KitKat chocolates from Dubai following proper procedures and that the court order is “harassment.” The company claims that it complies with the Safe Food Act and that the complainant misled the court to secure the order. However, the plaintiff, Kamrul Hasan, said that the tests confirmed that the products were substandard and unsafe, prompting the court to issue the warrants.
The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority has stated that it regularly collects and tests products to prevent adulteration, with around 150 samples tested every month. The authority’s chairman, Zakaria, said that products that fail to meet standards are monitored and legal action is taken if they do not improve. The case highlights the ongoing issue of food safety in Bangladesh, where adulteration and substandard products are a major concern. The court’s action is seen as a step towards holding companies accountable for the quality of their products and ensuring the safety of consumers.