safe food
Safe food crucial for hypertension control: Experts
Speakers at a webinar on Sunday said unsafe food and poor food habits are major contributors to the rising cases of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases in Bangladesh.
The webinar, titled “Safe Food to Combat Hypertension Risk,” was organised by the research and advocacy organisation PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress), was held with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), in observance of National Food Safety Day 2025.
The theme for this year’s day is “Khaddo Hok Nirapad, Shustho Thakuk Janagan(Let food be safe, let people be healthy).”
Experts said hypertension causes over 10 million deaths worldwide annually.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most of these deaths are preventable through policies promoting healthy diets.
Reducing salt intake and increasing consumption of vegetables and fiber-rich foods are key to controlling hypertension, said speakers.
The latest Bangladesh NCD STEPS Survey 2022 reveals that 37% of adults add salt to their meals, and 13% consume processed food high in salt.
Dr. Mohammad Mostafa, Member (Public Health and Nutrition) of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), said efforts are ongoing to ensure safe food through necessary law including regulations on trans fats and food labeling.
Public-private initiative needed to ensure production and supply of safe food
Dr. Nazma Shaheen, Professor at the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science at Dhaka University, recommended consuming a diet rich in vegetables, nuts, and unprocessed foods, while limiting salt, sugar, and saturated fat, as per WHO guidelines to control hypertension.
Shamsun Naher Nahid, Head of Nutrition at the Department of Diet and Nutrition at BIRDEM General Hospital, highlighted the importance of reducing excess salt, saturated fat, and red meat consumption, along with adopting healthy lifestyle changes to manage hypertension.
Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead at GHAI, stressed the need for formulating and implementing essential laws and policies to ensure food safety as well as promoting public awareness on the issue.
The webinar was chaired by ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA, and moderated by Sadia Galiba Prova, PROGGA’s Coordinator. Professionals from various fields across the country participated in the event.
1 week ago
Safe food activities to expand through laboratory facilities: Food Adviser
Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumdar has said that the country's efforts to ensure safe food will be significantly bolstered through the establishment of laboratory facilities.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of a mini-laboratory under the Capacity Building Project of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) on Tuesday.
Highlighting the importance of infrastructure development for food safety, Majumdar said, "This laboratory is a crucial addition to our infrastructure. It will allow us to expand our activities towards ensuring safe food for all."
Speaking at the event, the Food Adviser expressed optimism about addressing health issues arising from unsafe food. "I hope we can pay greater attention to ensuring that everyone has access to safe food, and that no one faces health problems due to contaminated or unsafe food."
Fake food products threaten public health in Bangladesh, experts warn
Majumdar emphasised the need to increase public awareness, foster social consciousness, and strengthen law enforcement to achieve the goal of food safety.
He also lauded the current government's commitment to ensuring food safety across the country.
The newly inaugurated mini-laboratory is equipped to conduct various tests, including:
- Detecting pesticide residues in dried fish, vegetables, and fruits.
- Identifying harmful potassium bromate in bread.
- Measuring heavy metals in food items.
- Identifying artificial colouring agents in food.
- Testing water for mineral content.
- Detecting antibiotic residues in milk.
- Identifying toxic substances in honey.
- Screening for microbes in food products.
- Analysing lactose content in infant food.
- Detecting bacteria such as Salmonella and coliform in food products.
Prior to the inauguration, Majumdar visited BFSA's mobile laboratory facilities, which are operational in eight divisions across the country.
These mobile labs enable the on-the-spot collection and testing of food samples, enhancing the authority's capacity to monitor food safety in real time.
1 month ago
Bangladesh Safe Food Authority proposes new regulations to combat misleading food advertisements
In a significant move towards ensuring food safety and consumer protection, the Bangladesh Safe Food Authority (BFSA) hosted a meeting on Monday to present and solicit feedback on the "Safe Food (Advertisement and Claims) Regulations, 2024." Held in the BFSA training room, the gathering aimed at refining the draft regulation, which comprises 16 comprehensive articles addressing various aspects of food advertising and claims.
Under the proposed regulation, penalties will be imposed for false advertising, use of language that offends community sentiments, obscene content, and false superiority claims about food products. The draft meticulously outlines conditions for advertising, including nutrition and no-salt claims, use of additives, health support claims, and prohibited claims. It also details the process for handling advertising complaints and the penalties for non-compliance.
Read: Ghorer Bazar offers safe food products, focusing on health, sustainability
Abdul Qayyum Sarkar, Chairman of the BFSA, chaired the meeting and encouraged the integration of stakeholder feedback into the final regulations. The session featured discussions led by notable participants, including Rezaul Karim, former BFSA member, and Nazma Begum, who delivered the welcoming address.
Highlighting the regulations' objectives, Nazma Begum stated, "These regulations aim to halt misleading or inaccurate advertisements by considering consumer demands and adhering to Codex principles."
Read: Ensure safe food: Food minister
Professor Razia Begum of Dhaka University's Department of Marketing emphasized the importance of strict enforcement and broad media dissemination post-implementation. The event saw active participation from representatives of various food establishments, who contributed their insights, with the BFSA assuring consideration of all input received.
Nazneen Akhter, a scientific officer at the BFSA, presented the keynote, while the meeting was moderated by Sheikh Ferdous Arafat, a law officer at the authority. This initiative represents a critical step toward enhancing food safety standards and consumer trust in Bangladesh.
Read more: First 'Safe Food Carnival' in the country starts from Feb 8
11 months ago
Prospects of Safe Broiler Chicken Farming
In the ever-evolving food industry, broiler chicken is one of the most popular preferences. This article delves into the subject of safe broiler chicken, a key issue in the future of the poultry industry. Let's find out how this chicken farming system plays an essential role in the food industry.
What is Safe Broiler Chicken?
The misuse of antibiotics in broiler farming has surfaced as a global public health menace, propelling the surge in popularity of antibiotic-free broiler meat production on a global scale. In this paradigm shift, emphasis is placed on alternative methods in broiler production in Bangladesh as well.
The safe broiler system prioritizes animal health, a conducive environment, and high product quality. This approach emphasizes the absence of hazardous ingredients, including antibiotics and growth hormones. It fosters a bio-preservative system and incorporates herbal supplements in animal feed.
The result is poultry reared in an eco-friendly manner, embodying the essence of safety and health consciousness in every aspect of production. Consumers increasingly seek assurance in their food choices. Meanwhile, the emergence of these chickens heralds a positive shift towards sustainable, health-centric practices in the poultry industry.
Read more: 10 Best Winter Teas to Fight Cold and Flu
Recent Advances in Broiler Breeding
Md. Shafiqul Islam, a professor in the pharmacology department at Bangladesh Agricultural University, and his associate Md. Abu Raihan Parvez has recently achieved breakthrough success in alternative broiler production. They were able to produce broilers without any form of antibacterial agents, using different types of herbal plant extracts in their laboratory.
In their research on broilers, they predominantly utilized various types of herbal extracts, noting their superior efficacy compared to antibiotics. The broilers exhibited significant weight gain, and this increase was notably rapid.
Moreover, the rate of morbidity and mortality among them was remarkably low. This research program, spanning five years, holds the potential for a significant leap toward the development of a more advanced poultry industry if implemented on a large scale.
Read more: Microwave Cooking: 7 Healthy Chicken Breast Recipes
1 year ago
Food Frontiers 2.0 launched to boost supply, consumption of nutritious, safe food
Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Business Network which, co-convened by Switzerland-based international organisation Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) have launched an innovation challenge for young entrepreneurs to ensure the supply and consumption of nutritious and safe food for lower-income groups.
Food Frontiers 2.0 wants to find creative business concepts, inexpensive and scalable technical solutions, and campaign ideas to identify new and innovative ways to reach lower-income consumers with nutritious food products.
The application window for the innovation challenge already opened and will close on January 15.
Read More: More awareness needed to ensure safe food: Minister
A shortlist will be made after scrutinising the submissions received in the first round of selection.
Representatives from the selected businesses or ideas will attend a three-day residential boot camp session in the capital as part of investment readiness training and business expansion.
Seven winners (two each from three categories), including one reserved prize for the International Nutrition Olympiad, will get cash and pre-seed funding for implementing a business plan, expansion of the business, and infrastructure development.
Read More: Safe food to be ensured for all amid pressure over subsidy
Food Frontiers 2.0 wants to build the capacity of young entrepreneurs on sustainable food system approaches and business skills for managing a social enterprise.
Also, it aims to co-design business models that are geared towards improving the nutrition outcome of the food system, particularly for the most vulnerable; building a pipeline of potential investments for disruptive innovative ideas for the food system of Bangladesh.
The National Association of Small and Cottage Industries of Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Agricultural University are the strategic partners of this event.
Read more: 'Digital agriculture can give Bangladesh's food, nutrition security a boost'
2 years ago
More awareness needed to ensure safe food: Minister
All, including the producers and consumers, will have to be more aware about safe and nutritious food as the foodstuff might be adulterated at any stage, said Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Wednesday.
“More awareness is essential to ensure food safety,” he said while addressing a programme arranged at the city’s BIAM Foundation Auditorium, marking the National Food Safety Day 2022.
Read: Food Safety Day: Checking trans-fat intake demanded
The minister said Bangladesh Food Safety Authority has relentlessly been working to ensure safe food for consumers. “Alongside conducting mobile court drives, it has been raising awareness among consumers by arranging meetings and seminars as well as sensitising the producers and businessmen about the issue,” he said.
“There’s no food crisis for 180 million people. Efforts are now being made to provide nutritious food to people,” Majumder said.
He hoped that united efforts of all concerned would help the government ensure food safety and thus build a healthy nation.
3 years ago
Safe food to be ensured for all amid pressure over subsidy
Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzak MP said that safe food will be ensured for all in the next 3-4 years."It will be possible to ensure safe food for all in the next 3-4 years and the incumbent government is working tirelessly to ensure this,".The minister said this while addressing as the chief guest at the Shadow Parliament on "appropriate steps of the government to ensure safe food" at FDC in Dhaka on Saturday.For ensuring safe food, the government has enacted 'Safe Food Act' and the Safe Food Authority has been formed, he added.
Read: Edible oil price may go up further: Tipu MunshiMentioning that safe food should also be ensured in case of export, the minister further said that efforts are being made to produce safe crops. Production activities have already started in accordance with good agricultural practices.The Minister further said that in order to ensure safe and nutritious food, the income of the common man must also be increased. If income and standard of life cannot cannot be improved, the incidence of adulterated and unsafe food will increase.Therefore, the government is taking and implementing effective initiatives for mechanization, commercialization and processing of agriculture in order to increase the income of the people and improve the living standards of the large rural agricultural population.
3 years ago
Curb food adulteration with an iron hand: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to curb food adulteration in Bangladesh with an iron hand alongside creating awareness among businesspeople against such offences.
3 years ago
National Food Safety Day tomorrow
The National Food Safety Day will be observed on Tuesday in the country to raise mass awareness regarding the activities and procedures for producing and distributing safe food.
4 years ago
‘Bangladesh to become developing country by 2024 despite Covid-19 fallout’
Bangladesh will become a developing country within 2024 despite the challenges unfolded by the Covid-19 crisis.
4 years ago