Leaders of Bangladesh Restaurant Owners’ Association on Tuesday said non-cooperation and lack of coordination between various departments of the government were the major obstacles in the way of ensuring safe food.
They said a total of 12 organisations were monitoring them. For a long time, they said, they have been demanding one organisation.
Each and every organisation is interfering in its own way in their affairs and venting their anger on restaurant owners.
They made the allegation at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday ahead of the month of Ramadan.
They announced that they would file cases under the ICT act for any kind of false information about restaurants. The association put forward several demands at the press conference.
The demands include having a representative of Bangladesh Restaurant Owners’ Association during mobile court drive, putting an end to gas crisis and stopping violence against seasonal food traders during Ramadan.
Secretary General of Bangladesh Restaurant Owners’ Association Imran Hasan said restaurant owners were to pay a huge penalty for a little mistake.
The reputation of restaurant business is being maligned because of drives conducted by a section of people who are inept and inexperienced.
They said those people were not only damaging their reputations but they were also causing a huge financial loss to them. This way safe food can’t be ensured, they said.
They claimed that they were working with the Food Safety Authority and they requested it to guide them with an acceptable Standard Operation Procedure (SOP). So far no organization has presented any specific SOP.
Imran Hasan said: “Due to the recent crisis caused by some negative campaigns in the restaurant sector, I would request the consumer society to scrutinize and comment on the restaurant sector.”
He demanded a committee be made consisting of representatives from administrations, businessmen and experts to look into the matter.
The prices of daily commodities are increasing gradually, which has a direct impact on the restaurant sector. If the market is not controlled, the restaurant sector will also face a big crisis.
Demand of Association
The restaurant owner’s association said mobile court should have its representatives. They also demanded immediate repeal of the non-bailable black law clauses and rules.
They alleged they were getting only 40 per cent gas from the Titus Gas Authority which was less than their requirement but they were paying double.
They also urged the government to monitor roadside ifter shops as most of them don’t have hygiene knowledge.
