Banned sugar seized at Ctg port

Chattogram Bureau :

Customs House has seized 39 metric tons of banned sugar (Sodium Cyclamate). Based on a tip-off, the Audit, Investigation and Research (AIR) team of Custom House Chattagram seized the consignment.

Sodium Cyclamate is an artificial sweetener which is about 30 to 50 times sweeter than regular sugar.

Some unscrupulous traders use this harmful artificial ingredient instead of regular sugar in making various types of sweets, bakery items, ice cream, beverages, juices, chocolates, condensed milk and baby food.

Food made with sugar is very harmful to public health. Food made with sugar can cause cancer and complex diseases of the kidneys and liver.

Since it is harmful to public health, the government has banned the import of the product as per the Import Policy Order 2021-2024.

After loading the consignment on the truck for clearance, the Customs House suspended the clearance of the goods on the basis of confidential information and conducted a physical examination in the presence of a C&F representative.

During the examination, the existence of two types of goods was found and samples were taken and sent to the Custom House Chittagong lab for chemical examination.

The examination report found 24 metric tons of polyaluminium chloride in one of the two categories of goods, while the remaining 39 metric tons of goods were confirmed as sodium cyclamate.

The consignment has been detained by the Customs House, Chattagram as per the Customs Act, 2023 for importing prohibited sodium cyclamate and legal action is under process.