B’baria’s famous ‘Chhanamukhi’ receives GI status
Staff Reporter :
Brahmanbaria’s iconic sweet, Chhanamukhi, has officially been recognised as a Geographical Indication (GI) product, further solidifying its place in Bangladesh’s rich cultural and culinary heritage.
On Sunday, Md Majnu Bhuiyan, Assistant Director of the Department of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks (DPDT), confirmed the recognition, making Bangladesh the sole owner of the famed sweet.
Chhanamukhi was registered under GI-75 in the Geographical Indication Registration Book on April 8, 2023, after a detailed application was submitted by the Brahmanbaria District Commissioner in April 2022.
The application highlighted the sweet’s history, unique characteristics, and its intricate production process.
According to the Brahmanbaria district administration’s website, Chhanamukhi originated during the British colonial period and has been a staple of the region ever since.
The sweet’s labor-intensive preparation involves boiling seven to eight litres of cow’s milk to produce just one kilogram of Chhanamukhi, which is now sold at around Tk700 per kg.
Chhanamukhi is not only cherished locally but also internationally. Its reputation grew significantly after Pakistan’s former president General Ziaul Haque praised the delicacy during a 1986 event at the Bangladesh Embassy in Islamabad. His compliments were widely reported in Pakistani media, adding to the sweet’s fame.
The DPDT operates under the Ministry of Industry and grants GI status to products following international norms set by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
The recognition is a part of Bangladesh’s broader effort to protect its cultural products under the Geographical Indication Products (Registration and Protection) Act, 2013, which was first implemented in 2015.
The DPDT called for the registration of GI products after the law’s enactment.
It is worth noting that Jamdani saree became Bangladesh’s first GI product in 2016, marking the beginning of a national initiative to safeguard the unique products of the country.
The recognition of Brahmanbaria’s Chhanamukhi adds another feather to the nation’s cap of officially recognised cultural treasures.
With its new GI status, Chhanamukhi is poised to gain even more international recognition, ensuring that this age-old delicacy continues to be enjoyed by future generations.
