Packets of adulterated edible salt are being sold in retail markets across the country, falsely labeled as iodized by various companies. Traders are buying salt from farmers at just Tk 6–7 per kilogram, packaging it, branding it as iodized, and selling it at high prices.
Among the country’s 250 salt mills, only seven use vacuum technology. The rest rely on mechanical and traditional methods. Yet more than 200 mills have obtained registration from BSCIC to market iodized edible salt.
Salt produced by these mills is being widely sold in retail markets despite being adulterated, putting public health at serious risk. Notably, the country’s annual demand for edible salt is around 900,000 metric tons.
Recently, raids conducted in Chattogram by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and BSTI uncovered packaged edible salt from several companies that contained no iodine.
Some dishonest mill owners have become involved in this fraudulent business. By selling these adulterated salts at high prices, traders are making huge profits, while consumers purchase them believing they are safe.
Marginal farmers are not receiving fair prices for their salt. Despite their hard labor, they cannot sell salt for more than Tk 250–300 per maund. Mill owners buy salt from farmers at extremely low prices and then package it attractively to sell at higher prices.
Currently, salt produced by vacuum factories is sold in retail markets at Tk 40 per kg, while packets from other companies sell for Tk 30–35 per kg. This shows that salt purchased at Tk 6–7 per kg is being packaged and sold at high prices under the claim of being iodized.
Consumers are increasingly skeptical about whether these packaged salts actually contain iodine.
Discussions with BSCIC and salt mill owners reveal that the country has 250 salt mills, categorized into vacuum, mechanical, and traditional types. Vacuum factories use modern technology and are very few in number.
Most mills process and market salt using mechanical and traditional methods. While there are no complaints against vacuum factory products, numerous allegations have arisen regarding whether salts from other mills are properly iodized. Due to insufficient iodine levels—or complete lack of iodine—consumption of these salts is putting people at risk of health complications.
Nurul Kabir, president of the Bangladesh Salt Mill Owners’ Association, said, “There are two vacuum factories in Chattogram. Their edible salt is of good quality. The rest are mechanical and traditional mills, and there are complaints about iodine levels in their edible salt.”
Sarwar Hossain, DGM of the Salt Cell at BSCIC headquarters, said there are seven vacuum factories in the country, with the remaining mills being mechanical. Both edible and industrial salt are produced. Industrial salt does not require iodization.
In areas such as Cox’s Bazar and Banshkhali, many people consume open salt. “We have conducted awareness campaigns on this. Demand for industrial salt has decreased due to reduced industrial production, lowering its price to Tk 250 per maund. We currently have 16–17 metric tons of iodine in stock,” he added.
According to the BSCIC Chattogram office, mills selling packaged iodized edible salt must obtain registration for edible salt from BSCIC and then purchase iodine from the agency. A total of 160 salt mills in Chattogram’s Majhirghat, Razakhali, Boalkhali, Patiya, Banshkhali, and Cox’s Bazar areas have obtained such registration, but only two of them are vacuum factories.
BSCIC sources say the country needs around 60 metric tons of iodine annually, which BSCIC imports. For every 1,000 kg of salt, 70 grams of iodine must be added, and 1 kg must be used per 15 tons as a regulatory requirement.
One kilogram of iodine costs Tk 10,500. Despite the small amount required, there is strong evidence that many mechanical and traditional mills are selling non-iodized edible salt.
An official from the BSCIC Chattogram office stated that salt samples are collected monthly from the market and tested in their own laboratory. Mills found to have deficiencies are warned, and if violations continue, their registration is canceled. “There is no shortage of iodine at BSCIC,” the official added.
Cox’s Bazar has 84 salt mills, 56 of which are registered to sell edible salt. According to Jafar Iqbal Bhuiyan, DGM of the BSCIC Cox’s Bazar office, there are no vacuum factories in the area—only mechanical and traditional mills. “We do receive some complaints about inadequate iodization in packaged edible salt. When defects are detected, we issue warnings,” he said.
