Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) yesterday cancelled the licences of two more substandard food products, raising the number of such items to nine.

According to a BSTI statement, the two products are: Pure Hathazari Chili Powder of SS Consumer Products (Chattogram) and Kiran Lachchha Seemai of M/S Kiran Products (Naogaon).

Apart from cancelling the two products, the BSTI also suspended licences for other 25 items yesterday.

The 25 food items are: iodised salt of Madhumati, Nur Special, Dada Super, Tin Teer, Madina, and Taj; lachcha shemai (vermicelli) of Jedda, Amrito, Modhuful, Mithai, Well Food, Mishti Mela and Madhuban; turmeric powder of Shan, Manjil and Dolphin; pepper powder of Dolphin and Surjo; semolina of Nishita; Ghee of Baghabari Special; flour of King; biscuit of Mehedi; chanachur of Macca; honey of Green Lands; and fermented milk of Rupsha.

On Wednesday, BSTI cancelled licences of seven food items and suspended 18.

The seven products are: Al Safi Drinking Water, Narjan Drinking Water, Morn Dew Drinking Water, RR View Drinking Water, Banolata Ghee, Priya’s soft drink Powder and Shanta’s soft drink powder.

Earlier, the BSTI had announced a total of 52 food products as substandard after collecting 406 samples of food items randomly from the markets across the country and testing those at its laboratory.

Later, the government agency served a show-cause notice upon the companies of the 52 items.

The BSTI has taken actions against the companies that did not respond to the notice within the stipulated time.