Use of chemicals in foods

Ali Hamid Khan, Gausul Azam Av. Uttara, Dhaka
Whenever I see pictures and read about the use of deadly chemicals on fruits by the growers and vendors to ripen and make their produce look attractive, taste better and to boost their production, I shudder. How can the government look away and not take appropriate, strong and quick steps to stem this diabolical practice of poisoning fruits and vegetables and cheating the public to buy them? This is a horrendous case of systematic destruction of society. The authorities have the knowledge of how bad is the effect on the consumers and how serious this despicable act is, but, they are not doing enough to save the consumers and protect them from the evil of these people who have no conscience and behave without compunction. They are horrible elements whose only aim in life is to extract maximum profit even if society has to suffer and pay an enormous price. This is destroying the vitality and vibrancy of the society affecting the younger generation more, in a way, which is irreversible. These elements are slowly and sneakily destroying us. We have to do something and not let it go on unpunished and unchecked. These sinister people are holding us hostage, doling out their goods and forcing us to eat because we have no choice as apparently every item you buy is affected, though the sellers will vouch their merchandise is clean and pure. This heinous practice has been going on for who knows how long, we only came to know when the media exposed it. There was one man, a magistrate, who came to the limelight for his campaign to check the business of rotten and poisoned foods and he was the one who very boldly and tenaciously operated and exposed the evil doers by raiding their kitchens, shops, go downs etc and caught them red handed selling stale and rotten foods and using used oils. He apprehended those who sold medicines with expired dates, and brought to light the clandestine use of lubricants with edible oils, he exposed the endless list of evil acts. His campaign revealed how the society stooped to incredibly low level and went to unbelievable length to cheat and rob the common man filling their pockets without any contrition. But, after this man the whole process has virtually stopped. This should not be aborted as the malevolence continues even today without the authorities taking adequate steps to check it and ensure safe produces in the market. The time is now to develop a system and devise methods and a mechanism to put an end to this highly pernicious practice and rein in the culprits who are destroying this nation and have instilled fear in us of eating agro-produces and other food items. They are the enemy number one and must be stopped. I hope the government will rise promptly and resiliently to the call and will in all sincerity address the issue unwaveringly.