Strengthen food safety monitoring: speakers

The government should set up a "Safe Food Foundation" in order to monitor irregularities in food management and implement the Food Safety Act, 2013 properly, said speakers yesterday.

Citing lack of cooperation among different ministries and institutions involved in food management, they said if such a foundation is established, it would monitor issues related to food safety and help raise awareness among people to ensure adulteration-free food for all.

The above call was made at a seminar on "Safe food for all: a commitment towards developed Bangladesh", organised by International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) in the auditorium of Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB).

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said some unscrupulous people involved in food manufacturing are adulterating food to make extra profit. They must stop such unethical practices.

He said Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution should play its due role to ensure safety. "We have already recommended teachers of educational institutions and imams to address the issue."

He said the government is planning to establish mobile laboratories in every district for proper monitoring as well as mobile courts to ensure punishment for those involved in mismanagement.

Maj Gen Md Salahuddin Miaji (retd) said the government should provide incentives to farmers who cultivate crops using organic fertiliser instead of chemicals.

"Unabated use of chemicals affects vegetables in its initial stage; law regarding this must be implemented properly," said Miaji, also former vice chancellor of Bangladesh University of Professionals.

Former agriculture secretary Anwar Faruque said the government should increase investment for infrastructural development of food markets. He also urged the private sector to come forward.

KIB Secretary General Md Khairul Alam Prince said the country has already become self-reliant in food. "This is high time we produce safe food," he added.

Dr Ataur Rahman Miton, general secretary of Bangladesh Safe Agro Food Efforts (BSAFE) Foundation and country director of Hunger-Free Bangladesh, presented a keynote paper at the seminar.

He recommended that the government take initiatives to ensure food safety in every stage and stressed on setting up minilabs and service centres at union level.

With IBFB President Humayun Rashid in chair, Consumer Association of Bangladesh Chairman Golam Rahman also spoke at the seminar.