Despite Bangladesh importing twice as much moth beans as moong beans in the last fiscal year, no lentils identified as moth beans were found in the local market, according to the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA).

However, laboratory tests revealed that more than half of the moong bean samples collected from the market contained artificial coloring.

Under Section 27 of the Safe Food Act, 2013, using, importing, processing, storing, supplying, or selling food products containing unauthorized coloring agents is a punishable offense.

The BFSA has instructed all food business operators to refrain from importing, processing, storing, supplying, or selling colored lentils.

The authority also advised consumers to verify the purity of moong beans and ensure they are free from added coloring before making any purchase.