Transcom MD Simeen summoned as 7UP fails to meet BSTI parameters

A Dhaka court has ordered Simeen Rahman, managing director of Transcom Beverages Limited, to appear before it on 16 November in a case alleging that its soft drink, 7UP Natural Lemon Flavour Extra Fizz, contains substandard ingredients, excessive chemicals and improperly labelled packaging.

The health department of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) recently filed the case with the Dhaka Pure Food Court.

Court sources said the court had taken cognisance of the case and issued a summons for Simeen Rahman to appear in person.

According to the case statement, laboratory tests found that the beverage failed to meet three of the six parameters set by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) under standard BDS 1123:2022.

The complaint said three 200ml bottles of 7UP Extra Fizz were collected as samples from Brothers Computers and Confectionery in Khilgaon on 14 September and sent to a laboratory for testing.

It further alleged that the product was manufactured and marketed with artificial chemicals and chemical sweeteners exceeding the prescribed limits.

The complaint also alleged that although the product label states, “No sugar, but contains non-nutritive sweeteners”, the font is too small to be easily seen or read. This allegedly violates the Packaged Food Labelling Regulations 2017 and the Product Packaging Rules 2021.

The laboratory report reportedly classified the beverage as “not of standard quality” and “unsafe”. The complaint claimed that regular consumption of the beverage could pose health risks, including serious illnesses and potentially fatal consequences, for people of all ages, particularly children.

The case was filed under Section 58 of the Safe Food Act 2013 over alleged violations of Sections 26, 27, 32(a), 41 and 42 of the law. DSCC Safe Food Inspector and Prosecuting Officer Md Kamrul Hasan filed the case.

In the petition, the plaintiff sought directions to seize and recall the allegedly harmful beverage, including the batch identified as 874, from shops and markets across the country to protect public health.