1. Authorities

Mixture of Food Additives
Bangladesh

This section provides an overview of the Authorities involved in setting regulations and in managing compliance with the food product in scope.

Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI)

BSTI [1] is a government agency under the Ministry of Industries (MoI) constituted for the purpose of controlling the standard of service and quality of goods. BSTI was established by the Government through an Ordinance passed in July 1985.

BSTI is responsible for the quality control of the products which are ensured as per specific national standards made by the technical committees formed by BSTI.

Bangladesh Customs – National Board of Revenue

Customs [2] is one of the three tax-collecting agencies that work under the National Board of Revenue. The other two agencies are VAT and Income Tax. The Customs wing is responsible for planning, formulation, implementation, and periodic review and re-appraisal of policies on matters related to Customs. Its main functions are - (a) collection of duties and taxes at the import stage, (b) protection of domestic industry, (c) trade liberalization, (d) facilitation of trade, (e) prevention of smuggling, (f) interdiction of prohibited goods, narcotics and objects detrimental to national security, and (g) prevention of money laundering.

The Customs wing monitors the activities of Customs stations and provides directions and interpretations to field offices. Offices under the Customs wing implement the policies formulated by the NBR, collect duties and taxes at the import stage, apply relevant laws and regulations formulated by other border agencies, and ensure the facilitation of trade. There are six Customs houses (Chittagong, Dhaka, Mongla, ICD Kamalapur, Benapole, and Pangaon), two Customs Bond Commissionerates (Dhaka and Chittagong), one Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate, one Customs Valuation and Internal Audit Commissionerate and a number of functional land Customs stations.

While the Chairman is the apex decision-making authority in the NBR, the basic functions of the Customs wing are supervised by four Members.

Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA)

The main duties and functions of the Authority [3] shall be to regulate and monitor the activities related to the manufacture, import, processing, storage, distribution, and sale of food so as to ensure access to safe food through the exercise of appropriate scientific methods, and to coordinate the activities of all the organizations concerned with food safety management.

BFSA is also responsible for overseeing the effectiveness of food control activities, harmonization of other regulations, standards, guidelines, and enforcement activities in alignment with the overarching Food Safety Act, 2013 [4] as the apex Food Safety Agency in the country.

BFSA carries out functions in respect of various Horizontal issues - Food Additives, Processing Aids, Food Contaminants (heavy metals, mycotoxins), Pesticide Residues, Veterinary Drug Residues, microbiological contaminants, Naturally Occurring Toxic Substances, Nutrition and Functional Foods, Food Fortification, Packaging / Labelling / Claims, testing methods and procedures. sampling procedures, accreditation procedures, etc.

1.1 References

1. Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution

http://www.bsti.gov.bd/ 

2. Bangladesh Customs – National Board of Revenue 

http://bangladeshcustoms.gov.bd/legislation/about_us

3. Bangladesh Food Safety Authority

http://www.bfsa.gov.bd/ 

4. The Food Safety Act, 2013  

https://www.dpp.gov.bd/upload_file/gazettes/16173_23175.pdf