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Green activists demand formalin-free fruits

Different environmental organisations yesterday demanded the government ensure chemical-free fruits for people.

The green activists came up with the demand during a human-chain organised in front of Dhaka University's Fine Arts Faculty.

"The government doesn't feed people.... they earn their own livelihood, and they pay tax. So they demand chemical- and poison-free fruits," said Abdus Sobhan, general secretary of Paribesh Bachao Andolan (POBA).

The seasonal juicy fruits like mango, lychee, jackfruit, pineapple, and blackberry have started arriving in the market, but people are unsure whether those are formalin-free, he said.

The fruits laced with formalin cause various diseases, including respiratory problems, asthma, gastric, and cancer, he added.

Bangladesh Civil Rights Protection Forum (BCRPF), Bangladesh Scout and Guide Fellowship Paribesh Andolan Mancha, Bangladesh Cycle Lane Bastobayan Parishad, and Pallima Green took part in the human chain.

The speakers said the government must play a stronger role in raising public awareness against formalin use in seasonal fruits as the government was dependent on taxpayers' money.

The problem can be solved if the government takes harsher actions against the importers of the poisonous chemical, they suggested.

The green activists said the government enacted several laws to ensure the production and sale of safe food to protect the public health, but those were hardly enforced.

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