Studies needed to prevent long-term effect on human body BFSN, CAB workshop told

Adulterated food intake has long-term adverse effect on human body but in Bangladesh the effect cannot be specified due to a lack of data, speakers noted yesterday.

The act of adulteration deprives consumers of their right to have safe food but journalists can create mass awareness as well as press the regulatory authorities for taking initiative to protect consumers' rights, speakers further said at a workshop, titled "Journalists' Workshop on Role of Media in Food Safety and Ensuring Rights of Consumers", jointly organised by Bangladesh Food Safety Network (BFSN) and Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB), Chittagong unit.

Dr John Ryder, chief technical advisor, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)'s Food Safety Programme, Bangladesh, said journalists with their regular reports on food adulteration have succeeded to bring a positive change in Bangladesh over the years. And chemical free mangoes of today, which are also being exported to abroad, are a good example of that.

Prof Shah Monir Hossain, senior national advisor, FAO Food Safety Programme, mentioned that concerned ministries in Bangladesh had not work properly before 2009 for ensuring food safety but media reports have highlighted it as one of the major issues.

He also emphasised the need for conducting studies to specify the adverse effects of food adulteration.

Mezbah Uddin, deputy commissioner of Chittagong, noted that most of the mineral water factories in Bangladesh do not have Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution's license and they had sealed seven factories so far.

Prof Alan Reilly, former CEO, Food Safety Authority, Ireland; Dr Margarita Corrales, Food Safety Consultant, FAO, and SM Nazer Hossain, CAB Chittagong unit's president, also spoke.