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Editorial

To ensure food safety

Government actions should be coupled with public awareness


Bangladeshpost
Published : 20 Jun 2019 06:12 PM | Updated : 27 May 2021 02:49 PM

The recent situation regarding the hygienic standard of all marketable foods evidently gives us staggering statistics of adulteration. According to a survey more than 75 per cent of all foods sold in the markets are in some way or the other adulterated. Reportedly, more than 75 per cent fruits, 50 per cent vegetables, 70 per cent rice, 60 per cent of both branded and open edible oil selling in the markets of Dhaka and elsewhere across the country are dangerously polluted now. On the other hand, consumers in Bangladesh have been exposed to a widespread use of meat and bone meal (MBM) in poultry feed which causes antibiotic resistance and cancer. Also there has been a series of reports on use of tannery waste as poultry feed. Experts are of the opinion that consumption of tannery waste through eating fish and poultry might lead to liver and kidney diseases. People eating such fish, chicken or eggs may be subjected to cancer or liver and kidney-related diseases.


We believe widespread knowledge regarding

 food safety will not only create awareness, 

but also it will help ensure that government

 actions are having a greater impact


People have a right to consume safe food and when most of the foods including vegetables and staple foods such as poultry and milk are found to be unsafe, it certainly paints a dire picture of food safety in the country. Strict enforcement of hygienic practices is required to maintain the quality of foods at all levels. Regulation on food availability, accessibility and utilization should be developed and strictly followed. Local vendors should be taught and trained in proper methods for storing foods in a safe manner. Regulators must also ensure that consumers are well informed to make the right choice. We believe widespread knowledge regarding food safety will not only create awareness, but also it will help ensure that government actions are having a greater impact.