Sugar and other harmful chemicals like soda, dye and 'phitkari' (alum) are being used to produce date molasses in Sirajganj and its adjacent districts, posing a serious health hazard. The adulterated and sub-standard molasses are being supplied to different parts of the country, including Dhaka and Chittagong. At the start of the winter season, hundreds of pickers collect the juice of date trees from different places including Rayganj, Tarash, Kazipur, Ullapara, Belkuchi, Chowhali, Shahzadpur and Greater Chalan Beel region in the district. The juice is then supplied to producers of molasses and traders in the region.
Taking advantage, certain dishonest elements in the region produce adulterated and sub-standard molasses using harmful chemicals and low quality sugar sourced from India, through different
border routes. Seeking anonymity, some molasses producers and traders admitted to mixing chemicals to make the end product look attractive. They mix sugar in the molasses to get an additional profit, since the price of sugar is lower than of molasses. A kilogram of sugar is now being sold between Tk 41 and Tk 44 at different haats and bazaars, while a kilogram of date juice molasses is being sold between Tk 80 and Tk 90. During a recent visit to Sirajganj district, this Correspondent found several cases of molasses being produced by mixing unhealthy substances including sugar, soda, phitkari, etc.
Some producers and traders have also revealed that the demand for molasses remains high throughout winter. People usually tend to accompany it with desserts like 'Pitha' (cake) and 'Payesh'.
However, the production cost of pure date juice molasses is higher. If sugar is mixed with the date juice, the profit margin goes up. According to traders, Tk 20 to Tk 30 is earned additionally after selling a kilogram of adulterated and sub-standard molasses. There has reportedly been barely any resistance from authorities.
Mofiz Uddin, a molasses trader of Bahirgola Gurer Bazaar area in Sirajganj town, says it is difficult to differentiate the real from the fake, until people fall sick after consuming the adulterated fare. Deboprodo Shaha, Civil Surgeon in Sirajganj, believes sugar mixed with date juice becomes poisonous, when boiled. Such adulterated and sub-standard molasses may cause diseases such as
diarrhoea, belly pain and even liver cancer.
Besides, date juice is a carrier of the Nipa virus, got from birds. Such adulterated products should, therefore, be avoided in the interest of health.