Soaring prices, unhygienic production
Vermicelli, locally known as "shemai", is a must-have item during Eid. But due to the soaring prices of ingredients essential to making vermicelli, especially flour, the price of this beloved desert has also gone up in the market.
Ahead of Eid, vermicelli workers of the port city are passing a busy time. Meanwhile, a section of corrupt traders are busy manufacturing sub-standard vermicelli in an unhygienic environment.
According to local sources, some of the factories are using unrefined palm oil and animal fat to produce "lachchha" vermicelli. Hazardous chemicals and toxic colours are also being used.
Chaktai and Rajakhali of Khatunganj are well-known hubs for locally-produced vermicelli. There are two types of vermicelli -- lachchha and Bangla. Bangla vermicelli is produced using flour and water, while lachchha is produced with oil or ghee, flour, sugar and water.
Traders said this year ahead of Eid, more than 5,000 baskets of vermicelli will be produced for customers in the port city and its surrounding areas.
During a recent visit to a factory named "Two Mangos" in Rajakhali, this correspondent talked to the workers, who said that vermicelli prices are going up due to the higher prices of flour and other ingredients.
Worker Md Tarek said, "Earlier, we had to sell a bucket of vermicelli, weighing around 35 kilos, for Tk 1,200 to 1,500."
Md Nazim Uddin, a wholesale trader in Khatunganj, echoed him and said each basket of vermicelli used to be sold at Tk 1,300 to 1,500, depending on the quality.
"We started taking preparations before Ramadan, and the factory operation will go on in full swing 10 to 12 days before Eid," said Tarek.
According to Chaktai Silpo and Traders Association, there are around 10 to 15 vermicelli factories located in Chaktai-Rajakhali-Khatunganj vicinity, where around 4,000 to 5,000 baskets of vermicelli are produced during every Ramadan.
Traders said most of the factories are seasonal, while a group of five to six workers work at each factory with only one vermicelli machine throughout Ramadan.
This correspondent visited several other such factories and saw vermicelli being made in a grimy, dark environment. Vermicelli was being dried in unhygienic conditions on the rooftops of the factories. Hanging on bamboo sticks, piles of vermicelli were being moved by workers, all of whom did not wear gloves or any other hygienic coverings.
Contacted, Md Towhidul Alam, assistant commissioner of Chattogram District Administration, said, "We will conduct a mobile court in the area soon against the reported unhygienic environment."
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