The National Board of Revenue has decided not to allow release of Fonterra milk powder from the Chittagong port until the product is cleared of contamination scare.
It is feared that Fonterra milk, a product of New Zealand, has become polluted with a toxic bacteria which causes botulism disease.
Samples of the milk are now being tested by the experts, and the next decision will be made on the basis of test result, said NBR sources. The experts of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research are conducting the test.
Following a letter received from the commerce ministry on August 27, the revenue body took the decision of testing.
The commerce ministry sources said more than 600 tonnes of Fonterra milk remain lying at the Chittagong Port.
“Since it is related with public health, we have decided not to release any of the Fonterra product from the port right now,” a NBR official told the Dhaka Tribune on Tuesday.
He said letters had already been served to tax officials concerned to take action in this regard.
“Tax officials have been directed to stop release of Fonterra milk,” said Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed.
If toxic bacteria was found, the milk brand might face ban in Bangladesh.
The Chittagong Customs authority said Fonterra milk importers in Bangladesh include, among others, Abul Khair Group, Nestle Bangladesh Ltd, Sanowara Group, New Zealand Dairy and Pran Dairy.
Fonterra, the world’s biggest dairy exporter, was caught up in a contamination scare last month after it found bacteria in some of its products that could cause botulism. It also disclosed it had to withdraw 42 tonnes of milk powder bound for China because of high nitrite levels.
Sri Lanka last month ended a ban on the sale of Fonterra milk products that had been ordered after food safety authorities said they found the toxic farm chemical dicyandiamide in two batches of milk powder.
The term nitrates are often used interchangeably with nitrites, which occur naturally in water, soil and food and can be used as fertilisers and preservatives. Excessively high levels can be toxic.
