Perks End, Scandals Begin: Journalists Accused of Turning a Blind Eye to Adulterated Juice Factory
Fahima Begum Priya, Cumilla: For years, a factory near Pantibazar in Muradnagar’s Panchpukuria Union has been producing tomato sauce and various types of juice using hazardous chemicals and textile dyes—ingredients extremely harmful to human health. Shockingly, this illicit business has operated right under the noses of local authorities and journalists, who allegedly looked the other way.
Locals claim journalists would visit the factory but would refrain from reporting after receiving regular “payments.” When the payments stopped, threats of exposure would follow. Eventually, when the deals resumed, the silence returned.
One such illegal factory has been discovered beside the No. 2 LGED mile marker—just south of the road. Operating without any signboard, it has reportedly produced toxic food items for years.
Investigations reveal that factory owner Rakibul Islam has been manufacturing sauces and juices without any approval from the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI). These products are then distributed to hotels and restaurants in the Tomosom Bridge area and beyond. Fake brand stickers and counterfeit labels are applied to the bottles before they hit the market.
One worker at the factory admitted, “We mix textile dyes and chemicals as per the owner’s instructions. We know it's harmful, but we need the job.”
A local resident said Rakibul imports empty bottles and fake labels from Dhaka, then uses them to package the adulterated drinks sold locally. Until now, there has been no visible action from the authorities.
Despite multiple attempts, factory owner Rakibul Islam could not be reached for comment as he repeatedly hung up the phone.
Outraged locals voiced their frustration: “This poisonous trade has been going on for ages. Journalists and officials stay silent if they benefit, and only launch investigations when those benefits dry up. When will this end?”
They demanded immediate closure of the factory and legal action against Rakibul Islam. Additionally, they called for action against those exploiting journalism for extortion and hush money.
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