The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has called for strengthening the activities of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) to curb the marketing of counterfeit, adulterated, and substandard food products in the market.
On Tuesday, a delegation from CAB paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Director General (Secretary) of BSTI, Kazi Imdadul Haque, and conveyed this appeal.
During the meeting, CAB leaders stated that the mobile courts, market surveillance, and monitoring activities conducted by BSTI are insufficient compared to the growing need to control counterfeit, adulterated, and substandard food products. They emphasized the importance of increasing the number of mobile courts, enhancing inspections of weighing and measuring instruments, and organizing regular awareness and consultation meetings with traders, consumers, and other stakeholders.
The CAB representatives also urged BSTI to play a more proactive role in protecting consumers’ rights. They stressed the need for stricter action against adulterated and substandard products and for strengthening market monitoring activities.
Both the CAB delegation and BSTI officials exchanged views on enhancing cooperation to safeguard consumer rights and ensure food safety across the country.