In a significant move towards ensuring food safety and consumer protection, the Bangladesh Safe Food Authority (BFSA) hosted a meeting on Monday to present and solicit feedback on the “Safe Food (Advertisement and Claims) Regulations, 2024.”
The event held in the BFSA training room, the gathering aimed at refining the draft regulation, which comprises 16 comprehensive articles addressing various aspects of food advertising and claims.
Under the proposed regulation, penalties will be imposed for false advertising, use of language that offends community sentiments, obscene content, and false superiority claims about food products.
The draft meticulously outlines conditions for advertising, including nutrition and no-salt claims, use of additives, health support claims, and prohibited claims. It also details the process for handling advertising complaints and the penalties for non-compliance.
Chairman of the BFSA Abdul Qayyum Sarkar chaired the meeting and encouraged the integration of stakeholder feedback into the final regulations. The session featured discussions led by notable participants, including former BFSA member Rezaul Karim and Nazma Begum, who delivered the welcoming address.
Highlighting the regulations’ objectives, Nazma Begum stated, “These regulations aim to halt misleading or inaccurate advertisements by considering consumer demands and adhering to Codex principles.”
Professor of Dhaka University’s Department of Marketing Razia Begum emphasized the importance of strict enforcement and broad media dissemination post-implementation.
The event saw active participation from representatives of various food establishments, who contributed their insights, with the BFSA assuring consideration of all input received.
Scientific officer of BFSA Nazneen Akhter presented the keynote, while the meeting was moderated by Law Officer of the authority Sheikh Ferdous Arafat. This initiative represents a critical step toward enhancing food safety standards and consumer trust in Bangladesh.
