Taskforce formed to check import of unregistered powdered milk
An eight-member taskforce has been formed to monitor how powdered milk of several Chinese companies is being imported or marketed here without registration.
The taskforce, headed by Additional Secretary of the Commerce Ministry Golam Mostakin, has been asked to submit reports with recommendations to the ministry by 15 days, according to a handout.
It also said the taskforce will identify which brands of imported powdered milk from China are flooding the local markets without registration and who are the importers.
The taskforce has also been asked to identify whether the imported powdered milk was or is being unloaded on the basis of examined certificates prescribed in the present import policy.
If irregularities are found during monitoring, the taskforce will put forward recommendations to the authorities concerned about future steps to prevent this.
Our staff correspondent adds: Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) officials said yesterday that the test result of melamine presence in Cadbury chocolate would be made available by next week.
The private laboratory 'Plasma Plus' might submit their report of melamine testing to the BSTI by first half of the next week, said deputy director (testing control) of BSTI Dr Ashish Ratan Sen to the Daily Star.
The BSTI also has been continuing its investigation to trace melamine in infant milk formula and Cadbury Chocolate, but it may take some more time, he added.
The BSTI has completed its tests on some dairy products to identify toxic substance and would submit its reports to the commerce ministry after conducting tests on all genres of dairy products, he said.
The department of the Chemistry of Dhaka University also reported that they had almost completed their task in this regard.
Meanwhile, the government has urged all to avoid consumption of suspicious milk products and chocolates. The customs were also directed not to allow imported food items without BSTI certification tag that they do not contain 'melamine'.
The BSTI is also going to set up an information cell at its office today, BSTI sources said.
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