A court in Moulvibazar has fined a local confectionery shop Tk 1.6 million after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of a banned industrial chemical in its jilapi.
According to officials of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), samples collected from “Bengal Sweet Food” tested positive for sodium hydrosulfide — locally known as “hydrose” — a substance strictly prohibited for use in food preparation.
The case was filed on August 28 last year by a designated food safety inspector of the district. Following hearings and review of laboratory findings, the Pure Food Court and Senior Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Moulvibazar found the establishment guilty under two sections of the Safe Food Act, 2013.
The court imposed a fine of Tk 1.6 million, with a six-month simple imprisonment in default of payment. As of the latest update, the fine has not yet been paid, officials said.
Health risks Sodium hydrosulfide is a corrosive industrial chemical commonly used in manufacturing processes, including leather treatment and chemical production. Public health experts warn that ingestion of such sulfide compounds can pose serious health hazards.
Medical professionals say exposure through contaminated food may:
Damage vital organs such as the kidneys and liver Cause severe gastric irritation, ulcers, and long-term gastrointestinal complications Disrupt normal blood chemistry and metabolic balance
Pose heightened risks to children, including potential impacts on neurological and hormonal development In cases of high exposure, symptoms may include acute poisoning, breathing difficulties, convulsions, organ failure and, in extreme situations, risk of death.
Legal framework Under the Safe Food Act, 2013, and the Food Additives Regulation, 2017, the use of hazardous and non-approved chemicals in food production is a punishable offence.
Officials said routine inspections and laboratory surveillance will continue as part of broader efforts to enforce food safety standards and protect public health.
