Only a proper law can protect the consumer rights, the experts observed.

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) organised the roundtable titled "Protection of Consumer Rights" in Dhaka with Acting DCCI President Manzur-ur Rahman Ruskin in the chair.

The DCCI submitted a draft of consumers right protection act in 1998 but it did not see any further progress, he said.

The speakers also stressed the need for a strict consumer code to protect the consumers from the clutches of dishonest businessmen and smugglers.

About 792 food adulteration cases were filed with the DCC Mobile Court in the last six months, but 196 cases were dismissed after collecting only a minimal fine of Tk 200-300, Ruskin added.

Taking the benefits of weak law, a section of businessmen again return to their dishonest jobs.

However, the experts felt that a concerted effort of Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institute (BSTI) and the home ministry is needed to protect the consumer rights.

For the last few days, the law enforcers have been hitting the headlines of the newspapers for surprise raid on the restaurants and food processing centres.

To save people form the menace of food adulteration, the drive should continue throughout the year, the speakers observed.

However, all the actions are being taken only against the retailers and small businessmen and the bigwigs remain at large. The sources of contaminated foods should be immediately stopped, the speakers felt.

If the present trend of food adulteration continues unabated, Bangladesh might lose its export markets, said Aftab ul Islam, president of American Chamber of Commerce.

The media reports of food adulteration not only catches our eyes but also leaves a negative effect on the minds of the foreigners who import form Bangladesh. And if the authorities fail to rein in the situation, the buyers might go for an alternative market, he added.

Director of Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institute (BSTI) M Safiqur Rahman stressed the need for a strict laws to replace the existing laws immediately to protect the consumer rights.

Home Secretary Safar Raj Hossain, Chief Executive Officer of Dhaka City Corporation Saifuddin Ahmed and DCC Director Hossain A Sikdar, among others, were present at the roundtable.