Speakers emphasise ensuring safe food to reduce health risk

Speakers at a programme on Sunday said the government should consider safe food a public health priority as unsafe food was not only the cause of many diseases but also the main reason behind widespread malnutrition among people.

They urged stakeholders in the food processing industry to work in collaboration with the government for ensuring that the quality of food is not compromised at any stage from its production to consumption.

They also said the country has enough food but the question is how safe are the foods the people consume every day in the country.

The speakers came up with the remarks while addressing the 10th International Food Safety Forum arranged jointly by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Bangladesh and Bangladesh Food Safe Authority at a hotel in Dhaka.

Addressing the event, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said a comprehensive and effective measure have to be adopted to address various obstacles to ensuring safe food in the country.

He said there is a need for proper research and development for ensuring safe food while adequate investment is needed for capacity building and science-based research.

Mentioning that the Bangladesh government is committed to ensuring nutrition and safe food, he said, “We can think about digital and smart investment in the food sector.”

The programme, held under the theme “Keeping Food Safe and Nutritious, Preventing Losses,” showcased solutions that ensure safer and more nutritious food for domestic consumers while addressing the issue of food losses.

IFC has been supporting food companies in emerging and developing markets and helping governments enhance food safety control systems for over a decade.

Over the past decade, Bangladesh has experienced significant economic growth, largely driven by the agriculture sector.

However, food businesses in the country face increasing sustainability expectations, particularly concerning food safety and security in export markets.

The presence of unsafe and contaminated food poses significant health risks, leading to various diseases such as diarrheal diseases and cancer, said speakers at the programme.

They mentioned that these health impacts have far-reaching economic consequences.

For instance, in Dhaka-city alone, the annual economic losses from just six diseases are estimated to $1.65 billion, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Wagner Albuquerque de Almeida, IFC director of Global Manufacturing‚ Agribusiness and Services, said, “There is no question that food safety is critical for health and for economic development. When we talk about food safety and preventing food loss, we are talking about our future and the future of our children.

Food safety and reduced food losses can only be ensured with the active participation of the private sector, and partnership with the public sector. We must work together if we are to achieve our goals.”