Judge lifts ban on pasteurised milk sales by Pran, Akij

Pran Dairy and Akij Food and Beverage have secured a court order to resume pasteurised milk sales in a major breakthrough.

However, the permission for sales is temporary as the High Court restrictions have been halted by the chamber judge of the Supreme Court for five weeks.

On July 28, the HC banned sales of pasteurised milk after the discovery of substances that are harmful for human consumption in the products of 14 companies.

The Supreme Court issued the new order on Tuesday, clearing the way for Pran and Akij Food’s Farm Fresh for production, distribution and sale.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam appeared for the two private companies at the hearing.

The top court put on hold the HC orders on sales of state-owned pasteurised milk brand Milk Vita for eight weeks on Monday after hearing a petition filed by Bangladesh Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Limited.

Antibiotics have been found in the products of all 14 companies while lead in 10 of these, according to results of tests conducted following the court’s order.

After a icddr,b study found 75 percent liquid milk products in the country unsafe for direct consumption last year, Supreme Court lawyer Md Tanvir Ahmed filed a writ petition seeking actions.

On June 25 a group of Dhaka University teachers said they found antibiotics in pasteurised milk of seven companies, creating a huge health scare.