Question over safety of 2-3 month shelf-life cakes and breads, former additional secretary Mahbub Kabir Milon demands lab tests

In a recent status on his verified Facebook account, he called upon the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) to test these food products.

In the status, he mentioned that cakes and breads from various companies including Pran, Dan Cake, Olympic, and Kazi Farms have a shelf life of two to three months. However, he clarified that he has no complaints or suspicions against the companies concerned.

Mahbub Kabir Milon said he does not wish to know any trade secrets about how these food products remain safe and intact for a long time at a temperature of around 35 degrees Celsius in shops. However, he commented that consumers have the right to know whether the level of preservatives used is correct according to BSTI standards, whether any other preservatives are being used beyond the declared ingredients, and the extent of microbial contamination or presence of microorganisms before the expiry date.

He called upon the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority and BSTI to collect these cakes and breads from the market, test them in their own laboratories, and publish the results. At the same time, he noted that there may be questions about conflict of interest in the testing by government agencies themselves. Therefore, he also emphasized the importance of independent third-party testing.

In the status, Mahbub Kabir Milon also called upon teachers and students of universities, educational institutions, and laboratories in the country to come forward. He said that research can be conducted on the preservatives used in these food products, their levels, and the presence of microorganisms within the shelf life, and standard research papers can be published. This will allow consumers to get factual information and help the relevant authorities take necessary steps.

He also called upon the general public to share information, including photos of both sides of various brands of cakes and breads available in the market, in the comments.

It is to be noted that Mahbub Kabir Milon is an officer of the 10th batch of the Administration Cadre. He joined government service in 1991 and retired from the post of Additional Secretary in 2022. He is known for his honesty, integrity, and dedication to work throughout his long administrative career.