The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) has recommended
imposition of restriction and close monitoring on import, sale and
distribution of formalin and other toxic chemicals largely used for
adulteration of food and many other items. The BSTI proposal was put
forward at an inter-ministerial meeting on intensifying drive against
adulteration of foods on September 10 last at the conference room of the
ministry of industries. Minister for Industries Dilip Barua was in the
chair.
The inter-ministerial meeting was convened upon the directive of a standing committee of Jatiya Sangshad (JS). Officials from different government agencies who are engaged in drive against adulteration of food were present at the meeting. Director General (DG) of BSTI informed the meeting, according to press reports, that if adulteration of food continues at the present rate, one third of the country's total population would be exposed to serious health hazards in no time. Meeting sources said that the DG of BSTI stated that the punishment often meted out to food adulterators is nominal.
Participants at the meeting expressed grave concern over excessive use of toxic chemicals like formalin, calcium carbide, sodium cyclamate, ethophen and hydrose in a variety of food items including fruits, fish, farm chickens, medicines and other essentials. The meeting emphasised the need for strengthening government's food safety council to prevent spread of adulteration. The BSTI, according to reports, is assigned to maintain standard of 156 items. A large number of other items remain out of BSTI control much to the detriment of public health.
From our experience we can say without hesitation that National Food Safety Advisory Council and Directorate of Food have so far failed to ensure food safety for the people. The latest BSTI proposal on sale and monitoring of formalin, if implemented, will serve a limited purpose as many other toxins including artificial colour are applied to a large number of food items harmful to human health.
The measures so far taken by the government against adulteration of food items have yielded no result. The menace has penetrated so deep into the entire food chain that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to eradicate it, only through this type of step. Almost every food item - fruits, vegetables, milk, fish, egg and spices, etc., are being adulterated by a section of unscrupulous people.
As we reported earlier in this column, if the authorities go for checking adulteration of prepared food in which harmful chemicals or dyes have been mixed leaving the main source of contamination untouched, the result of whole exercise will not be encouraging. For example, a variety of vegetables at growers' level get contaminated in the field. In rural areas, a section of farmers use poisonous pesticides and harmful chemical fertilizers in their crop fields. In many places the integrated waste management programme run by the Directorate of Agricultural Extension (DAE) for the last few years has failed to make any remarkable progress. The poisonous pesticides and chemical fertilizers find their way into the country from across the border in larger quantities. These are sold at cheaper rates which attract the growers to use those toxic substances in the fields. Experts say ignorance and easy availability of harmful pesticides and fertilizers encourage farmers to apply those in the crops.
Consumption of these crops will, in turn, have adverse effect on human health. The application of poisonous pesticides and harmful fertilizers is going on unabated for long. As the authorities concerned have failed to maintain regular supply of these major agricultural inputs, the farmers in their desperation, apply harmful substances to nourish and protect their crops. Therefore, if the government wants to weed out the menace, it should begin its work right from the crop field and not concentrate alone on prepared food.
In the backdrop of alarming trend in adulteration of food, some ruling Awami League lawmakers in parliament demanded of the government on September 11 last to take stern measures against adulterators. Shahiduzzaman Sarkar, MP, quoting statistics said that one fourth of the population in Bangladesh is likely to suffer from various types of cancer by 2025 for consuming adulterated foods. Another AL MP asked the government to amend the existing law providing death penalty or life imprisonment for the criminals engaged in adulteration of food. In reply, education minister Nurul Islam Nahid, on behalf of information minister Abul Kalam Azad told the House, if necessary, the government will amend the existing law with the provision for stringent measures against these criminals.
The inter-ministerial meeting was convened upon the directive of a standing committee of Jatiya Sangshad (JS). Officials from different government agencies who are engaged in drive against adulteration of food were present at the meeting. Director General (DG) of BSTI informed the meeting, according to press reports, that if adulteration of food continues at the present rate, one third of the country's total population would be exposed to serious health hazards in no time. Meeting sources said that the DG of BSTI stated that the punishment often meted out to food adulterators is nominal.
Participants at the meeting expressed grave concern over excessive use of toxic chemicals like formalin, calcium carbide, sodium cyclamate, ethophen and hydrose in a variety of food items including fruits, fish, farm chickens, medicines and other essentials. The meeting emphasised the need for strengthening government's food safety council to prevent spread of adulteration. The BSTI, according to reports, is assigned to maintain standard of 156 items. A large number of other items remain out of BSTI control much to the detriment of public health.
From our experience we can say without hesitation that National Food Safety Advisory Council and Directorate of Food have so far failed to ensure food safety for the people. The latest BSTI proposal on sale and monitoring of formalin, if implemented, will serve a limited purpose as many other toxins including artificial colour are applied to a large number of food items harmful to human health.
The measures so far taken by the government against adulteration of food items have yielded no result. The menace has penetrated so deep into the entire food chain that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to eradicate it, only through this type of step. Almost every food item - fruits, vegetables, milk, fish, egg and spices, etc., are being adulterated by a section of unscrupulous people.
As we reported earlier in this column, if the authorities go for checking adulteration of prepared food in which harmful chemicals or dyes have been mixed leaving the main source of contamination untouched, the result of whole exercise will not be encouraging. For example, a variety of vegetables at growers' level get contaminated in the field. In rural areas, a section of farmers use poisonous pesticides and harmful chemical fertilizers in their crop fields. In many places the integrated waste management programme run by the Directorate of Agricultural Extension (DAE) for the last few years has failed to make any remarkable progress. The poisonous pesticides and chemical fertilizers find their way into the country from across the border in larger quantities. These are sold at cheaper rates which attract the growers to use those toxic substances in the fields. Experts say ignorance and easy availability of harmful pesticides and fertilizers encourage farmers to apply those in the crops.
Consumption of these crops will, in turn, have adverse effect on human health. The application of poisonous pesticides and harmful fertilizers is going on unabated for long. As the authorities concerned have failed to maintain regular supply of these major agricultural inputs, the farmers in their desperation, apply harmful substances to nourish and protect their crops. Therefore, if the government wants to weed out the menace, it should begin its work right from the crop field and not concentrate alone on prepared food.
In the backdrop of alarming trend in adulteration of food, some ruling Awami League lawmakers in parliament demanded of the government on September 11 last to take stern measures against adulterators. Shahiduzzaman Sarkar, MP, quoting statistics said that one fourth of the population in Bangladesh is likely to suffer from various types of cancer by 2025 for consuming adulterated foods. Another AL MP asked the government to amend the existing law providing death penalty or life imprisonment for the criminals engaged in adulteration of food. In reply, education minister Nurul Islam Nahid, on behalf of information minister Abul Kalam Azad told the House, if necessary, the government will amend the existing law with the provision for stringent measures against these criminals.
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