Manufactures seek help to dispel doubts about beverages

The Bangladesh Beverage Manufactures’ Association (BBMA) said yesterday that it was following all the rules and regulations of the Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institution (BSTI) in producing and marketing their beverages.

The association also sought media cooperation to safeguard beverage companies as "different media outlets have been helping the BSTI and the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) prepare a report against energy drinks", which, in its view, are actually carbonated beverage.

At a press briefing, the BBMA wanted media cooperation to showcase the correct information for the development of the beverage industry. It also called for the removal of confusion about energy drinks. The association said it welcomed and supported the decision taken by the BSTI and the BFSA that no national standard would be set for "energy drinks".

Meanwhile, the government has decided to ban the production, marketing and import of energy drinks under the guise of carbonated beverages with immediate effect.

On July 29 last, in a meeting, the BSTI decided not to formulate any national standard under the category of "energy drinks". Officials present in the meeting adopted a resolution that nobody would be allowed to produce, import or market energy drinks under the guise of carbonated beverages or any other name. The decision was taken to stop the sale of intoxicating drinks in the name of energy drinks across the country.

“A group is working to destroy the country's beverage industry. There has been a propaganda against this industry. This is not desirable at all. The BBMA does not produce any beverage without conforming to the BSTI standards,” said BBMA president Harun Ur Rashid.

“Bangladesh is financially moving ahead at the moment. The beverage industry has been contributing significantly in this journey. BBMA products are being exported to more than 90 countries. It earns a huge amount of foreign currency for Bangladesh. All of you have contributed to the advancement of the beverage industry and we hope that you will keep up the cooperation,” he added.

The BSTI is the sole organisation in Bangladesh to set and control the standard of various products. It sets and controls the standard after running a series of tests. The BBMA said it has complete faith in the BSTI.

BBMA general secretary Sheikh Shamim Uddin said: "The information gap poses a great threat to the country’s huge beverage industry. Millions can lose their jobs. It's high time the people is presented with the facts. On behalf of the BBMA, we request everyone to end the confusion. Please provide the correct information to the public and help the industry flourish."

The BBMA said all the members of the association produce carbonated beverages in keeping with the 'BDS 1123' standard set by the BSTI. These drinks are completely safe, it claimed.

Manufactures seek help to dispel doubts about beverages

The Bangladesh Beverage Manufactures Association (BBMA) said yesterday that it was following all the rules and regulations of the Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institution (BSTI) in producing and marketing their beverages. The association also sought media cooperation to safeguard beverage companies as different media outlets have been helping the BSTI and the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) prepare a report against energy drinks, which, in its view, are actually carbonated beverage. At a press briefing, the BBMA wanted media cooperation to showcase the correct information for the development of the beverage industry. It also called for the removal of confusion about energy drinks. The association said it welcomed and supported the decision taken by the BSTI and the BFSA that no national standard would be set for energy drinks. Meanwhile, the government has decided to ban the production, marketing and import of energy drinks under the guise of carbonated beverages with immediate effect. On July 29 last, in a meeting, the BSTI decided not to formulate any national standard under the category of energy drinks. Officials present in the meeting adopted a resolution that nobody would be allowed to produce, import or market energy drinks under the guise of carbonated beverages or any other name. The decision was taken to stop the sale of intoxicating drinks in the name of energy drinks across the country. A group is working to destroy the countrys beverage industry. There has been a propaganda against this industry. This is not desirable at all. The BBMA does not produce any beverage without conforming to the BSTI standards, said BBMA president Harun Ur Rashid. Bangladesh is financially moving ahead at the moment. The beverage industry has been contributing significantly in this journey. BBMA products are being exported to more than 90 countries. It earns a huge amount of foreign currency for Bangladesh. All of you have contributed to the advancement of the beverage industry and we hope that you will keep up the cooperation, he added. The BSTI is the sole organisation in Bangladesh to set and control the standard of various products. It sets and controls the standard after running a series of tests. The BBMA said it has complete faith in the BSTI. BBMA general secretary Sheikh Shamim Uddin said: The information gap poses a great threat to the countrys huge beverage industry. Millions can lose their jobs. Its high time the people is presented with the facts. On behalf of the BBMA, we request everyone to end the confusion. Please provide the correct information to the public and help the industry flourish. The BBMA said all the members of the association produce carbonated beverages in keeping with the BDS 1123 standard set by the BSTI. These drinks are completely safe, it claimed.