A section of corrupt factory owners have been producing vermicelli in unhygienic condition in the port city putting public health at risk ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Sources said many seasonal factories have been allured into making adulterated vermicelli due to the high demand because of eid and marketing those elsewhere in country.
To check into the crime, law enforcers and authorities concerned have yet to take any mentionable measures.
The sources continued that about 150 vermicelli factories located at city’s Chaktai, Khatunganj, Asadganj, Rajakhali, Char Chaktai and Miakhan Nagar areas were producing vermicelli by using sub-standard raw materials like unrefined plum oil and fat, hazardous chemicals and toxic colour in unhygienic condition.
Besides, the factories have no Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institution (BSTI) license.
SM Harunor Rashid, president of Chaktai Silpo and Traders Association that enrolled 19 factories, said about 250 mounds of vermicelli were being produced at the seasonal factories, most of which were using substandard ingredients.
While visiting the area, the correspondent found that the workers were seen making vermicelli in a grimy environment and drying them under the open sky without any dust preventive measures.
Few factories locked the main entrance in fear of mobile court drive; however, the workers continued work inside the factory to dodge the law enforcers.
A seasonal factory owner, seeking anonymity, said a section of businessmen have been marketing vermicelli using the labels of renowned companies.
“The BSTI and the district administration have conducted several joint drives on vermicelli factories in the city and fined 13 factories in Chaktai Khatunganj area for violating rules and regulations of production” said KM Hanif, assistant director of BSTI, Chittagong.
Due to the drives, such type of misdeed has lessened a little bit, the AD continued.