High Court orders probe into packaged milk, curd as tests find bacteria, insecticide

The High Court has ordered the chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission or ACC to open a probe into the adulteration of dairy products marketed in Bangladesh and take legal action against individuals or organisations involved.

A study by the National Food Safety Laboratory found high levels of bacteria, insecticide, antibiotics, lead and other contaminants in raw milk, making it harmful for human consumption.

The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice KM Hafizul Alam issued the rule suo moto or on its own volition, on Monday after seeing newspaper reports on NFSL’s findings.

The court has also issued a rule asking the authorities why their inaction and failure to prevent the adulteration of milk, curd and other dairy products should not be declared unlawful.

Food safety regulators have been directed by the court to conduct a survey on the level of bacteria, insecticide, antibiotics and other chemicals found in packaged milk, curd and other dairy products sold in the market.

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution, Food Safety Authority and Central Food Safety Management Coordination Committee have 15 days to submit a report to the court.

The High Court also ordered the government to form a committee to identify those responsible for the contamination of milk and to determine the level of bacteria, insecticide, antibiotics, lead and other contaminants in dairy products.

The committee has been given three months to identify the perpetrators.

It has also been tasked with conducting tests on dairy products and report to the court every six months.