60.5 tons of sodium salicylate seized at Chittagong port

60,480 kg of sodium salicylate has been seized in three containers arriving at Chittagong port. The dutiable value of these products is Tk 2 crore. The duty rate on these products is 61.80 percent.

The consignment was seized based on a tip-off with the cooperation of the Central Intelligence Cell, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Department.

sodium salicylate is an artificial sweetener, which is 30-50 times sweeter than regular sugar. Unscrupulous traders are using sugarcane in desserts, bakery items, ice cream, beverages, juices, chocolates, condensed milk and baby food. Which is seriously harmful to public health, causing kidney and complex diseases including cancer.

Sources said that HP International Soda Ash Light of Motijheel Jiban Bima Bhaban in Dhaka imported the consignment from China on August 16. The consignment was brought to the Golden Container Depot at City Gate, Chittagong for unloading. Then, based on confidential information, the Custom House suspended the unloading activities of the Chittagong containers. On September 16, physical examination and samples were collected in the presence of representatives of all the concerned organizations. The samples were sent for chemical testing to the Nano Technology Center of Dhaka University, the lab of Khulna University of Science and Technology, and the Custom House lab. The tests of all three labs identified the product as sodium cyclamate.

To prevent misuse of sugar, the government has banned the import of the product. Sugar has been placed on the list of prohibited products in the Import Policy Order 2021-24.

Deputy Commissioner of the Custom House HM Kabir said that the sodium salicylate consignment has been seized as per the provisions of the Customs Act 2023. The process of taking legal action against those concerned is underway.