Food is one of the major components of human survival. However, it is not just about consuming food, but ensuring that the food is safe and nutritious. Global food security is an important issue, and it is crucial to address food safety concerns in Bangladesh as well.
Safe food refers to food that is free from harmful chemicals, germs, or contaminants and does not pose a risk to human health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), ensuring a safe diet is a vital part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Safe food is essential for several reasons. It plays a critical role in protecting health, as consuming contaminated or adulterated food can lead to severe diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, and cancer. Ensuring food safety also supports economic development by reducing medical expenses, increasing workers' productivity, and strengthening the economy. Furthermore, maintaining safe food standards benefits the agricultural and food processing industries and opens up opportunities for exports. On a broader scale, ensuring safe food is a fundamental aspect of human rights and social stability, as it contributes to the formation of a healthy nation.
One of the major challenges in ensuring food security in Bangladesh is food adulteration. Various harmful substances, such as formalin, carbide, sodium benzoate, and colorful chemicals, are often mixed into food products sold in the market. The detrimental effects of such adulteration are severe. These substances can damage the liver and kidneys, interrupt children's intellectual development, and increase the risk of cancer. Another challenge is unhealthy food processing and preservation methods. Many foods sold in the market are processed and stored in unhygienic environments, making them susceptible to harmful bacteria. Street foods and unhealthy beverages often carry these risks as well.
Additionally, the overuse of antibiotics in the production of fish, meat, and milk poses a significant concern. The excessive application of poisonous pesticides in the cultivation of cashews and fruits also threatens human health. Another problem is the weakness in controlling food quality. There is limited market monitoring and a lack of food testing laboratories. Moreover, there is inadequate surveillance at the food production and supply phases, making it difficult to ensure food safety.
Several steps can be taken to ensure safe food in Bangladesh. First, the government has implemented the Safe Food Act and strengthened law enforcement through the establishment of the Bangladesh Safe Food Authority (BFSA). The BFSA plays a key role in regulating food safety and expanding food quality tests through modern laboratories. Secondly, increasing consumer awareness is crucial. Awareness campaigns can help people understand the importance of safe food and how to identify harmful products.
Third, ensuring secure food production and supply is essential. Encouraging the use of organic farming methods, ensuring hygienic processing and conservation practices, and guaranteeing the production of chemical-free vegetables, fruits, and meat are crucial steps in improving food safety. Moreover, strict arrangements must be put in place to punish food adulterators. Efforts to stop the production and sale of fake or adulterated food should be intensified.
Lastly, enhancing the opportunity to test food quality is vital. Establishing food laboratories in every district and upazila would make it easier to ensure food quality in local markets. To address food security challenges in the long term, future planning and sustainable initiatives are needed. One such initiative is the implementation of an advanced food value monitoring system, which could involve digital food security surveillance.
Training local farmers on the technical aspects of producing and conserving safe food is another critical step. It will ensure that safe agriculture practices are followed, contributing to the overall safety of the food supply.
Private sector participation is also important in ensuring food security. Engaging industrial entrepreneurs in efforts to secure safe food can increase innovation and provide resources for enhancing food safety standards. Additionally, Bangladesh should maintain international standards in food production and safety to boost exports and improve global competitiveness. In conclusion, ensuring safe food is not solely the responsibility of the government. It is an issue that requires the awareness and involvement of every citizen. By applying strict laws, controlling food quality, promoting research and technology, and increasing public awareness, Bangladesh can achieve "safe food, healthy life" for its people.
The writer is a Founder and Chairman, Jatiya Rogi Kallyan Society
