The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) started issuing health certificates for farm products to exporters from Sunday - as a part of moves to boost their shipment.
Earlier, the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) used to deliver such certificates to exporters. The BFSA now becomes the official agency for the task.
The BFSA's issuance of health certificate was inaugurated at a workshop on 'informing media personnel on safe food act, rules and regulations', organised at its office.
Two companies - ESL Bangladesh Limited, and Trust and Trade - got certificates to ship sesame oil to Japan.
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumdar handed over the certificates to the companies.
The BFSA officials on the occasion said there is a huge demand for sesame oil in Japan.
BFSA Chairman Md Abdul Kayowm Sarker said: "Measuring fatty acid content of sesame oil is mandatory for shipment, and it has to be below 6.0 per cent as per the Japanese requirement."
The BFSA tested the oils of both companies, and found their fatty acid well below 6.0 per cent.
Md Sarker also said different countries want to buy products from Bangladesh by maintaining different standards. So, they test the products and ask for certificates that basically prove that these products are fit for consumption.
"We are preparing in advance for such standards of different countries to maintain the quality of our exportable agricultural products to gain trust worldwide."
The organisation will issue certificates only after collecting random product samples from containers in the port and testing those in its lab.
A company will be charged a fee of Tk 2,000-5,000 for products worth Tk 5.0 million. Besides, the exporter will have to pay the fees for transportation of samples and lab test, he added.
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumdar said, "Now we have to prove that our products with the BFSA health certificates are standard. We have to be aware and have to make all food products safe."
The minister noted that there is no possibility of food shortage in the country, as there are enough planning and preparation to raise food production.
"There is no possibility of famine, if consumers don't hoard food products in a panic," he noted.
Food Secretary Ismail Hossain said: "We have to continue the process, so that the BFSA certificates are accepted globally."
At the event, Maruf Haque, Head of Quality - Pran Group, said, "Our work will be easier now, as the BFSA has taken this responsibility (of giving certificates), which can minimise harassments."
"If we can complete the issuance process quickly, our exports will also increase," he added.
