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Nestlé Bangladesh is under legal scrutiny after food inspectors raised concerns over the safety of KitKat chocolate wafers sold in the country.
Special metropolitan magistrate Nusrat Sahara Bithi issued arrest warrants following two separate cases of food safety violations against Nestlé Bangladesh and Meghna Sugar Refinery.
The case against Nestlé arose after a government-run food safety laboratory reported that imported KitKats failed to meet legally required standards. Alleged discrepancies included:
Wafer acidity at 2.32%, exceeding the maximum permissible 1%.
Chocolate coating milk solids at 9.31%, below the approved 12–14% range.
Milk fat content at 1.23%, under the required 2.5–3.5%.
Nestlé Bangladesh has challenged the basis of the criminal case, stating:"We are seeking to understand the specific circumstances behind these allegations and have immediately commissioned independent testing of these products. The results give us confidence that these products meet our high standards and are safe to consume."
The second case involves Meghna Sugar Refinery, where a sugar sample reportedly contained 77.35% sucrose (minimum standard 99.7%) and tested positive for sulfur dioxide, which is prohibited.
Arrest warrants have been issued for several individuals, including Nestlé Bangladesh’s managing director. Both cases are scheduled to be heard on Monday, 15 December.
A Nestlé spokesperson emphasized:"Food safety and product quality are the highest priorities for Nestlé worldwide. Products imported into Bangladesh by Nestlé are quality tested against the relevant local standards before they can be sold."
