The High Court yesterday asked the authorities concerned to submit reports before it after conducting laboratory test of the formalin detector “Formaldehyde Meter Z-300.”
Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute, Bangladesh Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and National Food Safety Laboratory were asked to place the reports within four weeks.
The bench of Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice Md Habibul Gani passed the order following a writ plea filed by a food trader, saying that the detector was manufactured by a US company to detect formalin in the air, not in the food items.
The court, however, said the order would not hamper the ongoing drive against formalin, Deputy Attorney General Mokleshur Rahman told the Dhaka Tribune.
Swadhon Chandra Das, president of Bangladesh Fresh Fruits Importers Association, in his petition said the presence of formalin in all fruits was found when the machine was used to spot harmful chemicals in food.
According to Environmental Sensors Company, this machine measures formaldehyde in the air, he said, adding that it is not used for measuring formaldehyde or formalin in fruits and vegetables.
Petitioner’s lawyer Manzill Murshid said the law enforcers’ drive put an adverse impact on the economy causing sufferings to traders and consumers.
