Molasses is being produced without sugarcane and date-palm juice in Bagha upazila of Rajshahi. Sugar mixed with cloth-dye and flour is being used to make what is sold as sugarcane and date-palm molasses.
Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) conducted a drive in Shahapur area under Bagha upazila in Rajshahi around 8:30 am on Wednesday (26 November).
During the drive, RAB members seized a large quantity of sugar and adulterated molasses. The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) fined the owners of a factory--Lucky and Santu--Tk50,000 each totalling Tk100,000.
Ibrahim Hossain, Deputy Director of Rajshahi Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, said that more factories will be fined in phases, and the adulterated products will be destroyed.
It has been learnt that three factories in Shahapur area of Arani Municipality produce such molasses. These factories make molasses without sugarcane or date-palm juice. Yet, these factories continue producing molasses. In some factories, pots were seen on stoves where adulterated molasses was being produced. Nearby, moulds were placed on racks to shape the mixture. Later, these products are supplied to local and other markets.
Molasses producer Nantu Mia managed to flee the spot after sensing the presence of RAB members. His wife, Mst Lucky, admitted that they use no natural juice in making molasses. “We only use sugar to make what is sold as sugarcane or date-palm molasses,” she said.
“We mix cloth-dye, flour, powder, and lime with sugar. These are then sent to various wholesale markets in Rajshahi, Natore, and Pabna, where they are sold at different prices.”
RAB-5 Deputy Commander Major Mostafizur Rahman said, “There is no sugarcane or date-palm juice present in the molasses found here. All of it is made from sugar and chemicals. The factories had nearly one ton of adulterated product. These will be destroyed.”
Dr. Shankar K. Bishwas, spokesperson for Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH), said, “Chemical substances are harmful to health and may cause various complications, even cancer. Children are especially at high risk.”
