BSTI orders recall of eight products from four companies

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) has ordered the recall of eight products manufactured by four companies after laboratory tests found that they failed to meet the Bangladesh Standards (BDS).

In a press release today, the national standards body said the products were found to contain excessive preservatives, harmful microorganisms or other deviations from prescribed quality standards.

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According to BSTI, Fresh Garden Agro Resources' mango pickle contained preservative levels above the permitted limit.

The Bellisimo Rotondo Hazelnut Coated Chocolate ice cream, produced by Kazi Food Industries Ltd, was found to contain total milk solids-not-fat above the level specified under the Bangladesh Standards.

Laboratory tests also detected harmful microorganisms in Olive Bangladesh Ltd's Labannya Milk Skin Lotion, Aloe Vera Skin Lotion, Olive and Labannya Facewash Moringa+Matcha, Foaming Milk & Tulsi, and Labannya Aloe Vera Shampoo.

Meanwhile, Dekko Foods Limited's Dekko Fruit Funda soft drink powder in Mango and Orange variants was found to contain less vitamin C than required under the Bangladesh Standards.

BSTI said the companies concerned have already been notified of the test results and instructed to suspend the production, sale and distribution of the affected products until their licences are renewed or reapproved.

The companies have also been directed to immediately withdraw the products from distributors, dealers, retailers and the market.

BSTI said it would closely monitor compliance with the directive and take legal action under existing laws if any company fails to comply.

The standards body said maintaining product quality in line with national standards is both a legal and ethical obligation for licensed manufacturers.

It added that administrative and legal measures would be taken against companies that fail to meet these requirements in order to protect consumers and safeguard the public interest.

BSTI Director General (Secretary) Kazi Imdadul Haque advised buyers to check the BSTI certification mark, licence number, manufacturing date, expiry date and other relevant information before making a purchase.

He also urged consumers to report any complaints regarding product quality, adulteration, fraud or misuse of the BSTI certification mark to the organisation.

While contacted, Kazi Food Industries Ltd said in a statement that the company appealed to BSTI on July 2 for a re-test of samples of its Bellisimo Rotondo Hazelnut Coated Chocolate ice cream following complaints that it contained total milk solids-not-fat above the level specified under the Bangladesh Standards.

"We have submitted the application for the re-testing as recommended by BSTI representatives. Kazi Food has full respect for the standards and regulations set by BSTI and is committed to complying with and implementing them properly."