They also urged the government to combat the price hike of essentials which have created untold sufferings for the common people.

The rally was organised by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA), an environmental organisation, at Shahbagh in the city to press home their demands.

The speakers said on one hand the life of the people is stifled by price spiral, and on the other hand they are forced to buy poisonous foods at high prices.

Our future generation is emerging with ill health as our mothers are forced to take adulterated foods, they added.

BAPA President Prof Mozaffar Ahmed called for raising mass awareness to stop mixing toxicants with foods.

"Besides public awareness, government agencies concerned should perform their duties properly, otherwise such malpractice will not be stopped," he asserted.

"Mixing toxic substances with food items is a violation of human rights as well as cheating with customers," the BAPA president added.

Abdul Hye Majumdar, advisor of the Peace, a non-government organisation, termed the practice of mixing toxicants with foods as an attempt to murder, and identified those persons as the killers of people.

"So they must be brought to justice by awarding exemplary punishment that a killer deserves," he asserted.

BAPA General Secretary Mufidul Haque Khan said seasonal fruits and vegetables are now available in the markets throughout the year, but they are not good for health as they are produced by using harmful chemicals.

Such fruits and vegetables are causing various diseases including cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart diseases, he added.

Environmentalist Jahidur Rahman, Dr Kazi Saleh Ahmed, Dr Shahidul Islam, Prof Golam Mawla, Nazmunnahar, Syed Amirul Islam, Abdul Latif and Firoj Ahmed also spoke at the rally.

Earlier, the BAPA formed a human chain demanding a ban on the use of toxicants in preparing food items.