The Bangladesh Safe Food Authority has issued a serious public health warning after discovering that many products sold as ‘Golap Jal’ (rose water) and ‘Kewra Jal’ (kewra water) are not made from natural rose or kewra extracts at all – but are instead being produced with unauthorised and potentially harmful chemicals.
Despite labels claiming the products are “food grade”, “prepared under food laws”, or marked with “green/vegetarian labels”, investigations show that the contents do not reflect natural ingredients. Instead, most packets list only “pure water” and vague “rose/kewra flavour”, giving no indication of what chemicals are actually used.
Dangerous chemicals detected
Mobile courts recently raided several factories where these fragranced waters are produced and found:
Artificial fragrances created using unauthorised chemical mixtures
In some cases, industrial-grade chemicals, including substances used in kidney dialysis procedures
Officials say such use of chemical formulations in food-related products poses serious health risks and violates Sections 27 and 32 of the Safe Food Act, 2013.
Regulators take action
Food traders have been ordered to immediately stop manufacturing and selling any rose or kewra water made with chemical-based fragrances unless:
Labels clearly state “approved natural”, “approved artificial”, or “approved natural and artificial”;
Artificial fragrances include the common name and INS number, as required under the Food Labelling Regulations, 2017.
Restaurants, bakeries, catering services, and other food operators have also been warned not to use fragranced waters unless they fully comply with these labelling and safety requirements.
Consumer warning
Authorities urge the public to remain cautious:
Do not buy or use rose water, kewra water, or similar products in food unless the label clearly shows what type of fragrance is used and whether it is approved.
The food safety department has stressed that the surge in chemically produced “rose” and “kewra” waters is a major health risk, and further enforcement drives are underway.