Examine pasteurised milk in market: HC

The High Court yesterday directed the government to form an expert committee and submit a report before it after examining the pasteurised milk available in the market. The committee will be formed comprising representatives from food and health ministries, Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), concerned experts and researchers, according to the HC order. In response to a writ petition, the HC bench comprising Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir also issued a rule asking the government why its failure to ensure the safety of pasteurised milk as per national requirements should not be declared illegal.

Health secretary, food secretary, director general of the Directorate of Health, BSTI director general, executive director of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh and inspector general of police have been made respondents to the rule and they have been asked to reply within four weeks.

The HC bench fixed June 27 for the next hearing on the

petition.

Supreme Court lawyer Tanvir Ahmed filed the writ petition incorporating the report published in various newspapers on May 17 over the matter.

In the petition, the petitioner sought HC directives

upon the respondents to form an independent inquiry committee including experts and researchers to examine the pasteurised milk available in the market and submit a report to this court.

According to a new study conducted by icddr,b revealed that more than 75 per cent of all pasteurised milk available in the local market is unsafe for direct consumption.

He said that the pasteurised milk available in the market is reportedly unsafe and, therefore, it should be examined.

The International Journal of Food Microbiology published the study on April 24 which found high levels of bacteria, making direct consumption of such milk unsafe.

According to the report the level of bacteria in the pasteurised milk, which was found in the markets beyond the standards set by BSTI.

The study report suggested that Bangladesh's dairy companies ensure end-to-end compliance.

Examine pasteurised milk in market: HC

The High Court yesterday directed the government to form an expert committee and submit a report before it after examining the pasteurised milk available in the market. The committee will be formed comprising representatives from food and health ministries, Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), concerned experts and researchers, according to the HC order. In response to a writ petition, the HC bench comprising Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir also issued a rule asking the government why its failure to ensure the safety of pasteurised milk as per national requirements should not be declared illegal. Health secretary, food secretary, director general of the Directorate of Health, BSTI director general, executive director of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh and inspector general of police have been made respondents to the rule and they have been asked to reply within four weeks. The HC bench fixed June 27 for the next hearing on the petition. Supreme Court lawyer Tanvir Ahmed filed the writ petition incorporating the report published in various newspapers on May 17 over the matter. In the petition, the petitioner sought HC directives upon the respondents to form an independent inquiry committee including experts and researchers to examine the pasteurised milk available in the market and submit a report to this court. According to a new study conducted by icddr,b revealed that more than 75 per cent of all pasteurised milk available in the local market is unsafe for direct consumption. He said that the pasteurised milk available in the market is reportedly unsafe and, therefore, it should be examined. The International Journal of Food Microbiology published the study on April 24 which found high levels of bacteria, making direct consumption of such milk unsafe. According to the report the level of bacteria in the pasteurised milk, which was found in the markets beyond the standards set by BSTI. The study report suggested that Bangladeshs dairy companies ensure end-to-end compliance.