Adulterated molasses factory raided in Rangpur

A mobile court raided a factory in Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur on Thursday evening for allegedly producing adulterated molasses using sugar and harmful chemicals without using sugarcane.

The factory owner was fined Tk 80,000 under the Consumer Rights Protection Act, while a large quantity of adulterated molasses and harmful production materials were destroyed at the scene.

Executive Magistrate Md Ashiq Zaman said the factory was using sugar syrup, spoiled sweets syrup and highly dangerous chemicals that could damage the liver and kidneys to produce the adulterated molasses.

He said strict anti-adulteration drives would continue to protect public health.

The raid was conducted in the Shukurer Hat Paschim Genarpara area of the upazila, led by Mithapukur Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Md Ashiq Zaman.

According to officials, the factory had long been producing so-called sugarcane molasses without using sugarcane. Instead, sugar and various harmful chemicals were allegedly used in the production process.

Acting on a tip-off, the mobile court conducted the raid and found evidence of the illegal production. Factory owner Morshalin Rahman Choton was subsequently fined Tk 80,000.

During the raid, authorities destroyed a large quantity of spoiled sweets syrup, textile dye, sindoor, lime and other hazardous chemicals, as well as processed adulterated molasses.

Locals said such factories were producing molasses in extremely unhygienic conditions by boiling sugar with harmful chemicals, posing serious health risks to consumers.

Representatives of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, Rangpur, the upazila sanitary inspector and members of law enforcement agencies were present during the raid.