Safe food, market control during Ramadan 'acid test' for govt: 4 orgs place 15 demands
Experts say ensuring food price control and safety during Ramadan will be a key test for the new government, calling for stricter regulations, hygiene standards, and the introduction of a ‘food safety seal’ to protect consumers.
Ensuring food price control and the safety and quality of food during Ramadan will be a major "acid test" for the new government, experts working on food security have said.
It is unfortunate that even 54 years after independence, the word "safe" still needs to be attached to food in Bangladesh, said experts at a press conference held today (18 February) at the National Press Club, organised jointly by the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon, Shikkha Shastha Unnayan Karzakram (Shishuk), and BSAFE Foundation.
During the conference, the organisations presented 15 demands to the government to control prices and ensure the quality of food products during Ramadan.
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CAB President AHM Safiquzzaman warned that the government must ensure food safety this Ramadan, criticised the Bangladesh Competition Commission's 18-month inactivity, and noted only edible oil and sugar prices are currently regulated that under "The Control of Essential Commodities Act, 1956".
Recalling his experience with Iftar items at Chawk Bazar in Old Dhaka, Safiquzzaman said, "Chawk Bazar has now become world-famous. I bought something once and felt it was inedible, yet the media promotes it."
BSAFE Foundation Secretary General and CEO Rezaul Karim Siddique said the government has a visible opportunity to build public trust during Ramadan, coming just days after assuming office.
BAPA Secretary General Alamgir Kabir urged traders to maintain ethics, saying, "Do not defile the sanctity of Ramadan. At least this month, refrain from cheating people with adulterated or overpriced food."
The 15-point demands included creating an enabling environment for safe and nutritious food from farm to table, establishing safe farmers' markets to curb middlemen, taking strict action against syndicates and hoarders, and ensuring special responsibility of food traders under section 43 of the Food Safety Act 2013.
The organisations also demanded mandatory hygiene for Iftar items, banning spoiled food, stronger coordination committees, the introduction of a 'food safety seal' on products, visible nutrition info or QR codes, mobile court enforcement, a food safety research fund, banning hazardous pesticides, online food business regulation, year-round awareness campaigns, and government incentives for safe food producers.
