A beloved treat from Brahmanbaria called chhanamukhi has been formally recognized as a geographical indication (GI) product, underscoring its distinct cultural significance. The Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) assistant director, Md. Majnu Bhuiyan, declared that Bangladesh is now the sole proprietor of this unique treat.
Chhanamukhi has been listed in the Geographical Indication Registration Book as GI-75 as of April 8.
The Brahmanbaria District Commissioner applied for this recognition in April 2022, highlighting the production methods, distinctive qualities, and rich history of the sweet.
Chhanamukhi, which is known for its labor-intensive production process and dates back to the British colonial era, takes seven to eight liters of cow’s milk to make one kilogram of the sweet, which is currently sold for Tk700 per kg, according to the website of the Brahmanbaria district administration.
This delicacy has become more well-known both domestically and overseas. Notably, during an event at the Bangladesh Embassy in Islamabad in 1986, Pakistan’s then-president General Ziaul Haque praised Chhanamukhi after trying it. This garnered a lot of media attention in Pakistan.
Under the Ministry of Industry, the DPDT is in charge of GI product recognition and certification in accordance with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) regulations.
The foundation for GI product registration was laid in 2013 with the enactment of the Geographical Indication Products (Registration and Protection) Act. Official GI product registration began in 2015.
Chhanamukhi is currently displayed with other notable GI products from Bangladesh, such as the Jamdani saree, which was the nation’s first GI product to be acknowledged in 2016.