“The Role of BSTI in Ensuring Safe Foods in Bangladesh: Problems, Challenges and Recommendations.”

Abstract

Food safety is a major public health problem that has far-reaching consequences for economic growth and customer trust. In Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) is responsible for regulating and maintaining food safety through standard-setting, inspection, and certification processes. Despite these attempts, obstacles such as infrastructure limits, enforcement gaps, corruption, and obsolete legislative frameworks impede its efficacy. This study looks at how BSTI can help with these issues, concentrating on its operational flaws, regulatory ability, and conformity to global norms. Using a doctrinal approach, the study draws on secondary evidence from policy papers, case studies, and legal frameworks. It provides a thorough examination of food safety governance in Bangladesh and draws attention to systemic problems such as food adulteration, insufficient market surveillance, and public health hazards. The results point out important flaws in the current framework and offer doable solutions, such as improved institutional infrastructure, interagency cooperation, and legislative changes. In addition to offering a framework for enhancing food safety governance in Bangladesh, this study seeks to help create a safer food supply chain.