Food Adulteration: Clamp down on it with an iron hand
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday directed authorities concerned to curb food adulteration in Bangladesh with an iron hand alongside creating awareness among businesspeople against such offences.
"You will have to make them [unscrupulous businesspeople] understand about such offences on one hand and curb that with an iron hand on the other hand. It's essential to take both measures simultaneously," she said.
The PM was addressing a programme at the city's hotel InterContinental Dhaka, marking the National Food Safety Day-2021. She joined the event virtually from the Gono Bhaban.
This year, the day is being observed with the theme of "Teksoi Unnyan-Somriddho Desh, Nirapod Khadyer Bangladesh" (Bangladesh: A country of sustainable prosperity and safe food).
Hasina said unscrupulous businessmen sell adulterated or rotten food to earn extra money harming the public health.
"But it is needed to make them realise that they can make the same profit by spending money on the sale of safe food."
Mentioning that a central food testing laboratory is being set up in the country, the premier instructed the relevant authorities to take steps for setting up one food testing laboratory in every divisional city as well.
She said it is also essential to set up a food-testing laboratory in every divisional city as the government is developing 100 economic zones giving importance to food-processing industries.
Laboratory testing certification is essential to export agricultural products, most importantly the food items, Hasina said, adding that there will be a scope for setting up food-testing systems up to rural level.
Referring to the safe food plan being implemented in 100 food-related industries, the PM asked the authorities concerned to execute it throughout the country gradually. "It will have to be taken up to the village level."
EMPHASIS ON BALANCED DIET
Mentioning that the government is giving importance to ensuring nutrition, the PM directed the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority to go for a massive awareness campaign over balanced diet in the country alongside conducting laboratory testing.
She stressed the importance of safe transportation of processed food items. She said the government would develop the postal services further so that it can get food items safely to different destinations.
Hasina urged the people not to keep even a single inch of land uncultivated so that no food crisis can hit the country under any circumstances.
She also asked the authorities concerned to expand their activities to use grading stickers at hotels and restaurants across the country.
The PM highlighted her government's various activities and successes in the food sector. She said the previous governments never wanted Bangladesh to be self-reliant in food as they were more interested in food import to help some of their people to make money from the import.
"I would like to say unequivocally that the Awami League government is not in power to do business but to serve people as their assister."
Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque and Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim also spoke at the function, presided over by Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder.
The PM distributed prizes among the winners of a quiz contest and essay competition arranged marking the 4th National Food Safety Day. On behalf of the premier, the food minister handed the prizes to the winners.
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