Adulteration should be dealt with strongly

The trade of adulterated food is among the major obstacles for ensuring nutrition, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammed Nasim said yesterday.

Those dishonest traders who adulterate food and medicine and sell them for extra profit should get strict punishment, the minister also said.

He urged traders to give up the evil and called upon the citizens to raise voice against food contamination.

The minister was addressing the inaugural ceremony of National Nutrition Week 2018 at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.

The Health and Family Welfare Ministry organised the Nutrition Week, to be observed till April 29, with the theme "Think about nutrition, while thinking of food". Several programmes, including fair and procession, will take place as part of the weeklong event.

Mohammad Nasim urged parents to give children fruits and other nutritious food instead of junk, and called on mothers to breast feed their babies.

The minister also criticised lawyers who help the notorious food producers and traders in their dishonest endeavours.

Speaking as the main speaker, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury said ensuring nutrition is imperative to build a strong and meritorious nation.

The country has progressed significantly in terms of irradiating malnourishment in recent years, she said. Food Minister Advocate Qamrul Islam and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda, also spoke among others.