Legal notice served to authorities to stop street vendors from selling food

Ten lawyers have sent a legal notice to the authorities concerned to stop selling various types of unhealthy foods in dirty environments in front of various hospitals, schools, colleges, and markets, citing public health concerns.

The notice has been sent to seven officials, including the health ministry secretary, the inspector general of the Bangladesh Police, the director general of the Directorate General of Health Services, the director general of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and the two chief executive officers of the Dhaka North and South city corporations. 

They have been asked to take action within 24 hours of receiving the notice.

On Thursday, Supreme Court lawyer Md JR Khan sent the legal notice on behalf of Supreme Court lawyer Shammi Akhter, Dhaka Judge Court lawyers Md Bahauddin Al Imran, Md Hasan Milu, Abid Hossain, Imran Hossain, Zahid Hasan Fahad, ATM Rezaun, Shahen Shah, Md Arshad Ali and Md Sumon Hossain.

According to the notice, consumption of food is essential for survival, but if the food is unsafe, then it can lead to various diseases and death of people.

At present, many types of unhealthy delicacies are sold in dirty surroundings, including in front of various hospitals, schools-colleges and markets in the capital, which pose a serious threat to public health, reads the notice.

"In many countries of the world, street food is prepared and served in a hygienic environment. But preparation and sales of most of the street foods in Bangladesh do not maintain any hygiene," it said, adding that, "A large number of people who eat these foods every day are at great health risks."

The notice adds, "The roads and sidewalks where these foods are sold belong to the two city corporations of Dhaka. Dhaka North and South city corporations have no system for registering or approving street food stalls. So, the authority does not have a list of street food vendors. The activities of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, which is responsible for monitoring food quality, is very limited in relation to street food".

It also referred to two separate news articles published in two national dailies on 2 February and 7 February, titled "There is no initiative to make street food safe" and "Street food is increasing health risks".

The lawyers served the legal notice to the authorities concerned asking them to take necessary measures to stop sales of various types of unhealthy foods in front of various hospitals, schools, colleges, and markets, within 24 hours of receiving the notice.

If the authorities do not take steps within that time period, the lawyers said they will take legal measures as per the existing laws of the country including filing a writ in the High Court.