The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) staged a human chain protest in Uttara on Monday, demanding the enforcement of regulations against the use of unsafe, non-food-grade drums for storing and distributing edible oil.
The demonstration took place at Sonargaon Janapath Road, near Zamzam Tower, where CAB members and other activists voiced concerns over food safety violations.
Health Risks Highlighted
Speaking at the protest, CAB central committee members Shawkat Ali Khan, Abul Kalam, and Sarwar Wadud Chowdhury, along with others, emphasized that under the Bangladesh Edible Oil Vitamin A Fortification Act, 2013, all edible oils must contain Vitamin A to prevent night blindness, infections, and developmental issues. They also noted ongoing government discussions about fortifying edible oil with Vitamin D to combat nutritional deficiencies.
Call for Strict Enforcement
Protesters warned that the use of non-food-grade packaging contributes to the spread of non-communicable diseases and urged the government to uphold Article 18(1) of the Constitution, which mandates the protection of public health.
A ban on selling loose edible oil in non-food-grade drums was introduced in July 2021 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the industry’s lack of preparedness. The deadline for halting bulk sales was extended to July 31, 2022, for soybean oil and December 31, 2022, for palm oil. Despite this, enforcement has remained weak.
CAB Slams Commerce Advisor’s Comments
CAB also strongly opposed a recent statement by the Commerce Advisor, who claimed there was no difference between loose and bottled soybean oil, aside from price.
Sarwar Wadud Chowdhury, General Secretary of the Anti-Corruption National Coordination Committee, called for an immediate retraction or resignation, citing research that 59% of loose edible oil lacks Vitamin A, while 34% contains insufficient levels. CAB warned that such remarks could encourage illegal sales and undermine enforcement efforts.
Demands for Immediate Action
CAB called on the government to immediately enforce the ban on unsafe edible oil packaging and take action against violators to ensure consumer safety.
