The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority has imposed a fine of Tk1 lakh on the buffet restaurant RedCliff, located in Dhaka's Dhanmondi area.
The fine was issued for their involvement in producing, storing, and selling stale food within an unhygienic environment, all without the necessary trade license.
A mobile court, organized by the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, was carried out in the Dhanmondi Sat Masjid Road area of the capital around 2:30pm on Tuesday. Bangladesh Food Safety Authority Executive Magistrate Aktaruzzaman led the operation.
During the inspection, the restaurant's kitchen revealed the presence of stale food stored alongside cooked food and raw meat, including fish, all within the same storage space. Furthermore, the inspection unearthed the presence of cockroaches near food items and a lack of proper labelling on various food products.
At the time of the inspection, the restaurant's owner, Md Romel, failed to provide the necessary documents validating the establishment's business license and the health certificates of its employees.
In the presence of restaurant owner Md Romel, Executive Magistrate Aktaruzzaman issued a fine of Tk1 lakh and a three-month imprisonment sentence in default.
Executive Magistrate Aktaruzzaman said: "The restaurant's interior cleanliness did not match its outward appearance, with the kitchen being the most unsanitary. We discovered stale food stored in the fridge and due to the presence of cockroaches near the food items, these foods were promptly confiscated and disposed of."
He added: "Food items lacked crucial information such as production and expiry dates. Furthermore, the restaurant was operating without the requisite trade license, worker health certificates, and other essential documents."
"The restaurant changed ownership just a month ago, and we are refraining from imposing hefty fines at this time," stated the executive magistrate. "They have been given a one-week grace period to rectify the issues. Failure to comply within this timeframe will result in the restaurant being sealed."
Md Romel, the restaurant's owner, said: "I took over the restaurant only a month ago, and everything is not yet sorted out. Additionally, I was unaware of the necessary documentation requirements. I have been granted one week to rectify these matters and obtain the required paperwork."
