The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Despite ban in China in the wake of melamine contamination the Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institution (BSTI) is yet to ban China-produced powder milk-Iasli-1 and 2, and Baby Sweet in the local market.

The BSTI Thursday advised people to remain alert about consuming powder milk-Iasli-1 and 2, and Baby Sweet.

The BSTI has collected samples of 36 brands of milk powder and sent for laboratory tests. It said ban on the powdered milk would be imposed once the contamination is proved.

"When contamination of melamine in the imported milk in our market will be proved, we will ban these in Bangladesh," Chief Adviser's special assistant for Industries Ministry and BSTI council president Mahbub Jamil told newsmen yesterday after a meeting.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Government banned a total of 22 brands of milk, which are also available in Bangladesh market, as many babies and children were infected and many others killed after consuming the melamine contaminated milk in China.

The BSTI meeting initially decided to beef up its campaign to raise awareness about the use of the banned powder milk.

However, the import of contaminated milk has already been suspended following directive of the Ministry Industries.

The meeting further decided to boost its surveillance on food adulteration, cheating in weighing and measurement of products in the days ahead.

The activities of the committee, formed to ensure use of

scale of balance and weights (used in weighing), would also be intensified, the meeting said.

The meeting was told that the draft of the bilateral agreement for assistance between BSTI and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) will be submitted soon for approval.

The meeting was informed that issues of food security and health hazards will be placed in the education curriculum, 2009.

Industries Secretary Sheikh Enayetullah, BSTI Director General Azmal

Hossain, among others, were present in the meeting.