Adulterated spices are being made by mixing colors that are harmful to the human body, low quality chillies and rice husks. Upon receiving the news on Saturday (May 2) afternoon, a team from the Feni district administration raided an adulterated spice factory on Takiya Road in the town.
The mobile court ordered the destruction of 65 tons of adulterated chilli powder recovered during the operation. The operation was led by NM Abdullah Al Mamun, Executive Magistrate of the Deputy Commissioner's Office.
It was discovered that for a long time there have been 10-12 spice factories on Takiya Road in Feni. In the name of making spices in these factories, unscrupulous traders have been marketing turmeric and chilli powder by mixing harmful colors, low quality turmeric, chilli and rice husk.
These adulterated products are being sold by wholesalers in different places including Noakhali, Ramgati, Chauddagram, Kerhat, Bariarhat in addition to Feni's Boro Bazaar and in hats and bazaars in the upazila.
It was also discovered that Md Zahir owns another factory for making adulterated spices on Abu Bakkar Road in town.
Mobile court sources said that during the raid at Zaheer's factory, 24 sacks and 26 sacks kept at nearby Satata Traders were seized. Sensing the presence of the mobile court Basu Chandra Nath Rony, owner of Satata Traders and Md Zahir escaped.
After searching for them, they were not found. At the end of the operation, the adulterated spices were recovered from two establishments in collaboration Feni municipalities and the factories were shut down.
Sohail Chakma, Assistant Director, Department of Consumer Protection, Feni, Krishnamoy Banik, Sanitary Inspector, Feni Municipality and other members of the police were present at the occasion.
NM Abdullah Al Mamun, executive magistrate of the deputy commissioner's office, said several teams were working on behalf of the district administration to monitor the market to prevent adulteration ahead of Ramadan and Eid.
He confirmed the fact that two companies were involved in the production of adulterated products and that the recovered goods were destroyed.
