BFSA hosts workshop on healthy public food procurement

Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), with the patronage of the Nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE) Project, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation Bangladesh (SAF Bangladesh), hosted a significant workshop on public food procurement at the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority premises on 18 November 2024.

The event centred on the "WHO Action Framework for Developing and Implementing Public Food Procurement Policies & Services for a Healthy Diet."

Dr Helen Prytherch, Head of Systems Strengthening & Health Promotion Unit, Swiss TPH, conveyed her best wishes for the success of the workshop in a heartfelt video message, highlighting the importance of using public food procurement systems as a tool for promoting healthier diets globally. Farhad Zamil, Executive Director of SAF Bangladesh, opened the session with a welcome address and conveyed his warm regards to all guests and participants.

The Chief Guest, Masudul Hasan, Honourable Secretary of the Ministry of Food, Bangladesh Government, shared an insightful speech emphasising the critical role public food systems can play in improving the health and well-being of the population. He assured participants of the Ministry of Food's full support for implementing the discussed policies in the future. The Honourable Chief Guest also thanked the host organisation for the initiative on this topic, which needs to be addressed more, and noted that there is much work to be done and a wide scope for collaboration between government and non-government entities. Mr Zakaria, Chairman of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, chaired the event.