Mashiur Rahman Selim, South Cumilla
Despite lacking any legal documentation, they operate as industrialists. Yet, the government is losing lakhs of taka in revenue annually. In various areas of Laksam Upazila, Cumilla, nearly fifty ice cream and ice-making factories have sprung up haphazardly. These factories produce various brands of ice cream in filthy environments using toxic chemicals. As a result, thousands of children and teenagers in the upazila are facing health risks from consuming these substandard and adulterated ice creams. Due to the lack of market monitoring by the local administration, the trade of adulterated ice cream continues unabated across the upazila.

It is learnt  that nearly fifty ice cream and ice-making factories established in various markets of the upazila have no legal documentation. Specifically, they lack certification from the Environment Department, BSTI, Youth Ministry, Fire Brigade, Health Department, or other relevant authorities. Yet, these illegal factories continuously produce ice cream in unhygienic conditions using toxic chemicals. The absence of oversight by relevant authorities and the local administration has made this business thrive. During the ongoing monsoon season, despite minimal rainfall, the heat and humidity due to seasonal changes have led thousands of children and teenagers in the region to consume these factories’ popular ice cream products.

There are allegations that these factories use contaminated water sources with algae and arsenic, operate in unclean environments filled with dust, and use saccharin instead of sugar, toxic chemical powders instead of milk, white husk with granules instead of coconut, flour, and artificial coloring, along with various toxic chemicals. 

 

Moreover, none of these ice cream factories employ experienced chemists or skilled technicians. There are no water purification systems, testing equipment, or laboratories free of contamination or arsenic. Child labor is prevalent in these factories, which violates labor laws, and the owners provide no training, certified uniforms, or equipment to workers. According to a survey by Laksam World Vision, approximately 98% of tube wells in the region are contaminated with arsenic, and 56% contain fecal matter. So far, around 5,500 arsenic patients have been identified in Laksam and 4,000 in Monoharganj. They note that while 117 villages in the two upazilas are affected by arsenic, 28 villages face severe health risks.

On-site visits to various areas of the two upazilas revealed a consistent pattern in all ice cream factories. Mobile vendors sell these ice creams in various markets, residential colonies, and at the gates of schools, colleges, and madrasas. Hundreds of mobile vendors sell these substandard ice creams daily using various vehicles. Additionally, factory owners, as part of their marketing strategy, sell these deadly ice creams wholesale to various eateries, fast food outlets, and confectionery shops alongside retail sales.

Members of the local Sadar Hospital’s medical board stated that some chemicals used in ice cream production have immediate harmful effects on the human body, while others gradually cause complex diseases, leading to life-threatening conditions. Multiple human rights activists in the upazila noted that these factory owners operate without adhering to any rules or regulations. Due to the lack of action by relevant authorities, these illegal businesses continue unchecked. However, these substandard ice creams are putting local children and teenagers at severe health risks, causing significant harm to their bodies.

Officials from the local administration, environmentalists, BSTI, Labour  Department, Fire Brigade, and Health Department said,  they are under political pressure. The ice cream factory owners are locally influential. They are aware of various complaints through different channels, and the matter is under scrutiny. Appropriate action will be taken soon, subject to approval from higher authorities.