High tariff, lack of coordination drive counterfeit food spread: Experts
The most counterfeit products sold in the Bangladeshi market include various types of sauces, vinegar, coffee, honey, olive oil, chocolate syrup, milk and other baby food items
High tariff on importing genuine products, the lack of coordination and efficiency among the regulatory institutions pushed the spreading of counterfeit food products in Bangladesh, said experts and industry insiders.
Speaking at a sensitisation event in Dhaka today (23 December), they said spread of lower price counterfeit food products poses significant public health risks, results in government revenue losses, tarnishes the country's image, undermines the reputation of authentic brands, and damages the credibility of importers.
They also noted that mass consumers are luring towards counterfeit products as such products are available in the market at half the price of genuine ones.
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The event titled "Effects of counterfeited products in Bangladeshi market and their impacts on human health" was jointly organised by the Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) and Bangladesh Foodstuff Importers and Suppliers Association (BAFISA), with support of the USDA funded Bangladesh Trade Facilitation Project.
Mohammed Alim Akhter Khan, director general at the Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection attended the event as chief guest while the representatives from the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), ERF, BAFISA and journalists spoke at the event.
In his speech, BAFISA president Mohammad Borhan E Sultan said counterfeit food products are unauthorised copies or imitations of authentic food products that violate intellectual property rights, quality standards, or regulatory compliance.
These products often misuse trademarks, labels, or packaging to deceive consumers and authorities, he added.
He said that the most common fake products in the Bangladeshi market include mother vinegar, soya sauce, cooking sauce, Oyster sauce, BBQ sauce, fish sauce, coffee, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, HP Sauce, bleach, washing powder, apple cider vinegar, mustard, icing sugar, baby oats, food grade foil paper, chocolate syrup and fabric softener comfort.
These products commonly become counterfeit because their production formulas are simple, they are highly popular, and they offer significant profitability, he explained.
Anwar Hossain, general secretary of the BAFISA highlighted the stark price disparity between genuine and counterfeit products.
"A product that costs us Tk1,000 per kg to import is sold in the market for Tk300-400 per kg," he said, adding that fake products are often priced 50% lower than the originals.
ERF president Refayet Ullah Mirdha delivered a welcome remark at the event. The event was moderated by Syful Islam, executive member of the ERF.
