The delivery of 600 tonnes of imported milk powder hinges upon test reports from the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR). It is learnt from a front page report of this newspaper yesterday that during the last couple of months some Bangladeshi enterprises imported the powder from New Zealand-based Fonterra, one of the world’s largest milk-powder producers and exporters. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has recently ordered chemical test for the imported goods before the release of the consignment.
Under the existing laws of the country chemical test of milk powder has been made compulsory. But it is all the more urgent in case of milk powder produced by Fonterra because China, Vietnam, Russia and Sri Lanka recently detected presence of toxic nitrate (NO3) in the milk powder produced by that company. It is a matter of relief that commerce ministry has issued a circular to ensure chemical tests for the imported item. If nitrate is found in the milk the authorities would ban it in the local market.
It is mentionable that nitrate and such other toxic substances are seriously harmful for human health, especially for the children.
Making chemical test of imported milk powder obligatory was a good decision. If strictly followed, it is expected to prevent contaminated food item from entering the local market. But the problem with the methodology of such tests is that it is being done two months after the entry of this huge quantity of the item. While efficient administration creates incidents, inefficient ones lag behind them. Samples of the powder could be tested even before opening the letters of credit (LC).
The belated test procedure after arrival of the milk power at the port involves a two-fold risk. If hazardous substance is detected in the milk powder, the entire quantity will be sent back and new LCs will have to be opened. This long delay will seriously disrupt the supply chain and will lead to price spiral of this essential item. On the other hand, there is every possibility that the whole lot, even if found contaminated, will enter the market through the loopholes created by unholy alliance of the importers and corrupt sections of officials at various levels including Customs and Port.
Now, to avoid any sort of bad practice around the marketing and price fixation of milk powder and undue delay in its supply, the test process at the BCSIR should be expedited. Strict guard should also be maintained so that the milk powder, if found contaminated, does not enter the market. And habits must also be developed of running before incidents.