Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-The Bangladesh cabinet on Monday gave final approval for the draft of Formalin Control Act-2014 keeping provision of life term imprisonment for using formalin in edible items.
If the law is passed in Bangladesh Parliament, deputy commissioners and upazila nirbahi officers (UNO) will be empowered to monitor and control the use of formalin which poses a serious threat to public health.
The decision was taken at the regular cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Bangladesh Secretariat.
The government is going to enact the law in the face of widespread criticism for using formalin in preservation of various edible items including fruit, fish and vegetables.
Formalin is usually used to preserve biological specimens.
BBN/AU/SS-30June14-1:00pm (BST)
