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Editorial

Substandard food products

High time to check food quality


Bangladeshpost
Published : 26 Jun 2019 06:28 PM | Updated : 07 Sep 2020 10:55 PM

Ramadan has come and gone but the reports of substandard food products still arise from time to time. It is not as if the standard or quality of food products made in Bangladesh deteriorate from time to time, rather the scene has shifted towards an all time degradation and adulteration of food items. On top of this, no matter how much the law enforcement members crack down or embark on drives to root out or fine these miscreants, the issue never totally subsides. 

Just a few days ago, there were reports in national dailies mentioning the startling facts about BSTI’s action about revoking the license of a number of well known food producing companies. But still, there is no headway being made in the elimination of this consistent game of feeding the masses harmful and dangerous food products.


Tests conducted on both pasteurised and

 non-pasteurised raw milk produced by 

various companies have resulted in 

finding detergent and antibiotics in them


Recent reports following on the BSTI incidents highlight the fact that the problem is far from over. Earlier, more emphasis was put on powdered turmeric, chilli, salt, vermicelli and oil, which are more used in the Ramadan days due to obvious reasons. But following up on that issue, research conducted by Dhaka University has come up with results which are even more baffling. Most of the sample food products are below standard as per criteria set by BSTI. On top of that, tests conducted on both pasteurised and non-pasteurised raw milk produced by various companies have resulted in finding detergent and antibiotics in them. Moreover, the issue of food grade oil has not been resolved since the Ramadan times as well. Total 20 samples of palm oil and mustard oil have tested substandard in various criteria.

It is high time that the authorities take this seriously and plan the best possible way to counter the problem. On another note, the companies which are producing these food products should maintain their standard and play by the rules of BSTI. Strong vigilance of both the authorities concerned and company hierarchs is a must in order to fully subvert the few miscreants who are playing with human lives.