BSTI licence mandatory to retail fruit drinks, wafer

Fruit drinks and wafer biscuits can no longer be marketed or sold without the certification from the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), according to a government notification. 

The government has prohibited firms from advertising or retailing fruit drinks and wafer unless the products are made in compliance with the national standards set by the BSTI, the industries ministry said in the notification on October 6.

This means that the makers of these items will have to secure the BSTI licences first before releasing their products into the market.

"We have given firms two months to comply. After December 6, none will be able to market these products without the licences," said Sajjadul Bari, director for certification marks at the state agency.

Before the notification, firms didn't need to comply with the national standards or get BSTI licences to retail fruit drinks and wafer. The two items have a collective annual market value of more than Tk 1,000 crore, which includes nearly Tk 300 crore wafer biscuit industry, according to a top industry operator.

Manufacturers welcomed the move.

Kamruzzaman Kamal, director for marketing at Pran-RFL Group, said that Pran, the biggest player in the local fruit drink market, has long been following BSTI standards voluntarily.

The BSTI's announcement will increase consumer confidence in these products and accountability of the companies.

"So, it is a good move, particularly in Bangladesh's context," he said.

Kamal suggested the BSTI develop standards for more products, especially the items of higher consumer interest.

"Still, there are a large number of products for which there are no standards," he said.

The domestic market for fruit drinks has grown to about Tk 800 crore, attracting both local corporations and multinational firms to the segment.

MM Iqbal Hossain, assistant general manager for total quality management at Akij Food and Beverage, said people of all ages enjoy fruit drinks.

"The rule of mandatory licencing will increase the accountability of manufacturers and benefit consumers," he said.