On August 21, 2025, Future Startup and Khaas Food Limited jointly hosted an online panel discussion titled "Tackling Food Safety Challenges in Bangladesh: A Policy Discussion." The event brought together a diverse group of experts from academia, research, policy, development, and the private sector to deliberate on the pressing issues surrounding food safety in Bangladesh and propose meaningful solutions. Watch the full discussion video below.
The discussion included distinguished panelists such as Dr. Md. Azizur Rahman (Professor, Bangladesh Agricultural University), Dr. Mohammad Mostofa (Member, Public Health and Nutrition, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority), Dr. Imrul Hasan (Country CEO, Alcumus Bangladesh Limited), Mohammad Reza Ahmed Khan (Deputy Director, Research Department, Department of Agricultural Marketing, Ministry of Agriculture), Abrar Shahriyar Mridha (Global Manager, Enterprise Development Program, Oxfam), Habibul Mustafa Arman (Managing Director, Khaas Food Limited), Mr. Rezaul Karim Siddique (Chief Executive, BSAFE), Mr. Abu Jafar Ansary (Managing Director, WAFEN Research Laboratory Limited), and Mr. Arefin Gazi (SPK Movement). The panel was moderated by Mohammad Ruhul Kader (Founder, Future Startup).
The discussion underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive and integrated approach to ensure safe food for all citizens.
The panel discussion started with a brief introduction by Future Startup CEO Mohammad Ruhul Kader, who presented key findings from a white paper jointly produced by Future Startup and Khaas Food, titled "You are What You Eat: Bangladesh Food Health Report 2025." The report highlighted several critical issues shaping the country's food safety landscape.
Pervasive Foodborne Illnesses: An estimated 26 to 30 million people are affected by foodborne illnesses in Bangladesh every year, costing the nation over $3 billion annually.
Adulteration and Contamination Levels: A 2013 report from the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority indicated widespread adulteration and contamination in perishables. Consumer perception suggests that over 70% of common food products contain some form of adulteration/contamination.
Excessive Pesticide Use: Bangladesh uses almost double the global standard of pesticides. Pesticide residue has become a major food safety challenge in the country.
Significant Post-Harvest Losses: Due to inadequate cold chain and supply chain infrastructure, 20% to 45% of produce is lost post-harvest. The problem with this is that it leads to various types of contamination as people try to improve preservation of perishables.
Farmer Education Gap: Approximately 75% of farmers report a lack of training related to food safety.
Regulatory Implementation Challenges: Despite numerous regulatory bodies, fragmentation often hinders effective implementation.
Consumer Willingness to Pay: A study showed that consumers are willing to pay a premium of 21% to 52% for safe food products, and the domestic organic food market is projected to reach $1 billion by 2025.
The panelists delved into various aspects of food safety, identifying deep-rooted challenges across the production, regulatory, testing, and market spheres.
Dr. Rahman began by acknowledging the broad and complex nature of food safety issues and the expertise of other panelists. His core concern revolved around the lack of traceability for food products from the very beginning of the production chain. He observed that there is currently no developed system to monitor and mentor farmers. While efforts are being made by agricultural extension and development agencies to ensure food security, this created second-order consequences that many people overlooked, eventually resulting in unintended consequences.
Dr. Rahman highlighted the alarming health implications of unsafe food in Bangladesh. He observed that pharmacies outnumber food establishments in residential areas of Dhaka, which he interprets as a sign of widespread illness among the population, with unsafe food being a major contributing factor. He attributed the root cause to an early focus on achieving "food security" through mass production, leading to widespread, uncontrolled use of pesticides and neglect of alternative management practices.
Excessive Pesticide Use: Bangladesh is a high user of pesticides, with a large market that often sells more than needed. Dr. Rahman also mentioned that pesticides themselves are sometimes adulterated, further complicating the issue.
Health Consequences of Chemicals: He explicitly linked the rise of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, eye problems, and paralysis to metabolic disorders caused by unsafe food, particularly due to excess nitrogen from fertilizers, which can increase uric acid levels. He warned that persistent toxic chemicals do not degrade biologically and can pass through generations, potentially causing more severe problems.
Hormone Use: He highlighted the use of hormones to synchronize fruit production, such as pineapples year-round, calling them a "major killer" in the food system.
Ensuring Traceability: Dr. Rahman argued that without proper management and assurance at the production stage, subsequent stages of the food supply chain are prone to contamination and adulteration.
Reforming Farming Systems and Supporting Farmers: He observed that marginal farmers, who often grow multiple crops on small plots, cannot afford to test their produce. He advocated for "cluster farming" approaches and enhanced "community engagement" to provide farmers with coaching and ensure product quality. He emphasized that farmers are aware of unsafe practices but are often forced into them due to financial pressures and the absence of fair returns for their labor. He stressed the need for a "social integrity" system to ensure farmers receive fair compensation for their work, which is crucial for motivating them to adopt safe practices.
Improving Policy Implementation: While policies like Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) exist, Dr. Rahman stated they are often project-based and fail to integrate into the broader system. He suggested implementing a simplified, locally adaptable, honest, and sustainable approach to food safety, rather than complex and costly indicators (like 246 GAP indicators).
Adopting Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS): He strongly advocated for a Participatory Guarantee System, where consumers would directly visit and evaluate production sites, and products would be certified by their own communities. This, he believes, would build trust, ensure quality, and allow for premium pricing—a system already prevalent globally. He considers this a critical starting point, rather than solely relying on "vanity demonstrations."
Addressing Economic Incentives: He suggested that the prevailing "greed" for increased production often overrides safety concerns, leading farmers to deplete soil quality without replenishment. He argued that if fair returns are not guaranteed, farmers will continue to seek increased volume, even at the cost of safety.
Dr. Rahman concluded by reiterating that failures at the production stage cascade throughout the entire food system, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic change from the ground up.
Mr. Siddique, General Secretary and Chief Executive of BSAFE Foundation, provided his perspective on tackling food safety challenges, complementing the points raised by Dr. Rahman. He underscored the need for effective implementation and commitment, despite an abundance of policies and laws.
Mr. Siddique acknowledged Dr. Rahman's excellent points and argued that the primary deficit lies in the lack of skilled manpower and commitment to implement existing policies and laws. He highlighted that people often hide information or do not actively seek solutions.
Pesticide Use and Adulteration: He supplemented Dr. Rahman's point on pesticide use by observing that the efficacy of pesticides used in Bangladesh is often low. He explained that farmers frequently mix different pesticides because the specified dosage on the product often doesn't achieve the desired effect, leading to unsafe food. He also mentioned that climate change contributes to the emergence of new pests, making existing pesticides ineffective and further complicating pest control. He cited a study indicating that no one adheres to the government's guidelines for pesticide use. This includes vendors and farmers, with 80% of farmers not using personal protective materials (PPE) when spraying pesticides. He questioned whether licensing authorities, like the Department of Agricultural Extension, monitor compliance with these regulations.
Widespread Adulteration and Lack of Quality: Mr. Siddique lamented that if even medicine is adulterated, it's unreasonable to expect safety in food. He stated that food often lacks its characteristic qualities and nutritional value, suggesting it can barely be called "food" at all, but rather "fodder." He also mentioned that soil is not being nourished with food or proper care, which impacts food production.
Holistic and Integrated Approach: He emphasized that addressing food safety must start from the very beginning. He stressed that everyone, from farmers to consumers and policymakers, shares responsibility and must work together in an integrated manner. He criticized the current fragmented approach where different ministries (Agriculture, Food, Industry) believe their responsibility ends once their specific task (cultivation, availability, licensing) is completed, without ensuring the food's nutritional content or safety. He highlighted the overlap and conflicting nature of existing laws (e.g., BSTI, Food Safety Authority, Consumer Rights laws), which lead to confusion over who is responsible for implementation.
Importance of Mindset and Awareness: Mr. Siddique argued that there is a significant flaw in the lack of a holistic mindset. He believes that if people were to adopt the principle of "if you wouldn't eat it yourself, why produce it for others," it would mark a significant change. He stressed that every citizen has a right to safe food, and there should be no compromise on safety, whether for domestic consumption or export.
Call for Social Movement: He concluded by advocating for integration and coordination of efforts, combined with strong awareness building, to transform food safety into a social movement. He drew an analogy to handwashing before eating, suggesting that while the water might not always be pure, the habit is important, and safety habits should also be cultivated.
Mr. Ansari, Managing Director of Waffen Research Laboratory Limited, provided insights from the perspective of a laboratory professional, emphasizing the critical role of testing and traceability in ensuring food safety.
His core concern, from a lab perspective, is that food safety can only be truly guaranteed through testing. He stressed that no matter how appealing food looks, its safety cannot be confirmed without laboratory analysis. He also linked this to traceability, identifying GAP as a key mechanism for achieving it.
He elaborated on the challenges faced by labs and farmers regarding food testing. The primary challenge is the high cost of testing, particularly for pesticide residue levels (MRLs). He stated that a single MRL test can cost 10,000 Taka, plus VAT. He explained that the high cost of acquiring standard reference materials makes it difficult to reduce testing fees, leading to a very low number of samples being tested. This results in partial or ineffective testing, where farmers might only request tests for pesticides they claim to have used, even if the produce was harvested days ago and other chemicals might have been applied more recently. This ultimately means the testing doesn't benefit the end consumer, as the product currently on the market isn't being fully assessed.
He warned about the alarming state of adulteration, including the misuse of "organic fertilizers" and the growing problem of heavy metal contamination in agricultural produce, which he finds more dangerous than previously thought, even beyond urban areas.
He highlighted that many accredited labs only test for basic parameters like fat and protein, not for common contaminants or adulterants like urea, dyes, or antibiotic residues in milk, which are crucial for actual food safety. He stated that Bangladesh lacks sufficient labs capable of detecting antibiotic residues.
Mr. Ansari emphasized the need for policymakers and stakeholders to understand the reality of testing and its importance. He also called for the development of local standards and testing capabilities rather than relying on expensive imports.
Mr. Khan, Deputy Director—Research at the Department of Agricultural Marketing, Ministry of Agriculture, provided a comprehensive perspective on food safety challenges, focusing on data, mindset, and structural changes in distribution and marketing.
Excessive Fertilizer and Pesticide Use: He provided specific data to highlight the severity of chemical overuse in Bangladesh. He stated that South Asian countries use an average of 160 kg of NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) fertilizer per hectare, while Bangladesh uses 253 kg per hectare. Developed countries, in contrast, use only 124 kg per hectare. This indicates a fundamental flaw at the production level.
Universal Consumerism: Mr. Khan emphasized that everyone, including farmers and traders, are ultimately consumers. A farmer who produces a few items still has to buy most of their food, making everyone affected by food safety issues. Therefore, discussions about food safety should not segment consumers but consider "general people."
Importance of Mindset and Behavioral Change: He strongly advocated for a fundamental shift in mindset, attitude, and perception, and a rectification of the value system. He argued that without these behavioral changes, laws and regulations, no matter how numerous, will not be effective. He used the analogy of smoking, observing that despite knowing the risks, people continue to smoke, illustrating the difficulty of behavioral change.
Challenges in Supply Chain: He identified the supply chain as "inefficient and complex" with "unnecessary additional hands" that do not add value but instead increase prices and the vulnerability of products to contamination and adulteration. He explained that each handling of a product, even without adding anything, increases the risk of contamination. He stressed that contamination can occur at every step of the long supply chain.
Consumer Preferences and Farmer Incentives: He identified a contradiction in consumer behavior: consumers prefer "very bright and clean" items, yet these items often indicate overuse of pesticides. Conversely, slightly misshapen items, which might be safer, are less preferred. He highlighted the farmers' economic drive: if a farmer does not receive a fair return for producing safer food with less fertilizer or pesticide, they will be incentivized to produce more volume, often by using excessive inputs, to earn more. He stressed the need to ensure fair prices for farmers to prevent this.
Addressing the "Cost of Testing" and Local Standards: He questioned why Bangladesh relies on imported standard materials for testing and urged for the development of local standards and research capabilities within Bangladesh's numerous research institutes. This would reduce costs and make testing more accessible.
Role of Awareness and Education: Mr. Khan stressed the need for extensive awareness campaigns involving family members, including children, in learning about food safety. He suggested that children questioning their parents about the safety of food could be a catalyst for change.
Data Management and Monitoring: He discussed the importance of real-time data monitoring on food safety issues, such as contamination cases. He mentioned that his department already monitors agricultural product prices nationwide through a mobile application. He suggested the need for a system to quickly communicate contamination cases to relevant stakeholders and authorities. He observed the emergence of new monitoring technologies, such as scanning devices for agricultural products, which could be implemented in large markets. He envisioned a country-wide system for food safety monitoring and data capture through online applications.
Dr. Hasan, Country Lead and CEO of Alcumus Bangladesh Limited, provided detailed insights into food safety certifications, their challenges in the local context, and the broader issues of awareness and coordination within the food industry.
Dr. Hasan explained that certifications focus on management systems, meaning they certify the process used to manufacture a product, rather than the product itself. This ensures that the process is self-sustainable, managing each step systematically, regardless of whether a manager is present.
He elaborated on the different types of certifications and the public's misunderstanding of them. Certifications vary based on focus, such as food safety and quality certifications. He emphasized that the public often confuses safety parameters with quality parameters. For example, he cited an incident where a large company's factory was shut down because the fineness of its spices was 99.86% instead of 100%, which is a quality issue, not a safety one. He stressed that a lack of public understanding exists regarding which parameters relate to safety versus quality. He mentioned common popular standards like ISO 22000, GMP, and HACCP, which primarily focus on safety, not quality. ISO 9000, on the other hand, focuses on quality.
Dr. Hasan reiterated that when a company receives a management system certification (like ISO 9000 or ISO 22000), it certifies the company's process, not the specific product. Thus, a product cannot claim to be "ISO 22000 certified." Product certification schemes are different (e.g., ISO 17025, ISO 22003) and are used for specific claims like "organic" or "halal" or "Global GAP certified." He observed a lack of this knowledge in Bangladesh.
Regarding Bangladesh's performance in food exports, despite domestic skepticism about the quality of Bangladeshi products, he asserted that Bangladesh is successfully exporting to 144 countries regularly, with companies like Pran exporting to 184 countries (though not always repeatedly). He highlighted that the growth potential in food exports is significant, especially compared to the garment sector, and that most inputs for food processing (except for some additives) are produced domestically, allowing for high value addition and job creation. He clarified that regulatory bodies in importing countries rarely demand certification upfront for customs clearance. Instead, buyers often specify certification requirements (e.g., Global GAP certified), and customs generally require adherence to HACCP, traceability, and test reports. He acknowledged complaints from the American market (68 complaints in 2023-24) and European market (38 complaints), but observed that most were nominal issues like labeling or misbranding, with some cases of heavy metal contamination (e.g., lead). These issues are solvable with proper corrective actions.
Dr. Hasan shared his personal and professional background and said his experience has led him to believe that the core problem lies in "basic conceptualization," where people don't understand the definitions of safe food or quality.
He emphasized the challenges with regulatory bodies and coordination. He observed significant efforts to coordinate and bring regulatory bodies together, including signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). He was involved with the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) from its inception, stating that its original purpose was to be an umbrella organization and coordinating agency to resolve issues faced by entrepreneurs and consumers under a single authority. However, he feels this has largely been unsuccessful. He mentioned that BFSA currently lacks the provision to issue licenses, unlike BSTI, which means entrepreneurs still have to navigate multiple agencies and their overlapping regulations. He believes that institutions are unwilling to relinquish their "power" associated with licensing and registration, leading to a struggle over responsibilities. He stressed that fundamental requirements like handwashing and sanitation, which are basic to food safety, are still not universally practiced or understood.
Dr. Hasan called for the establishment of a "food safety and quality culture" in Bangladesh, stating that no single agency can achieve this alone. It requires the collective effort of all stakeholders – industry, academia, researchers, and regulators. He recounted an attempt in 2017 to bring all stakeholders together, but it devolved into mutual blame. He believes that if those efforts had continued, a settlement could have been reached. He observed a lack of trust among these groups, despite their shared goal of providing good products. He concluded that a sense of ownership ("this is my country, my people, my industry, my law") is needed to create a good environment.
Finally, Dr. Hasan reiterated the importance of integrated efforts across the entire value chain (backward and forward linkages). He specifically mentioned increased costs for producing safe food. He suggested that if solutions could be found under one umbrella, with one-stop solutions for businesses, it would streamline processes, reduce costs, and make safe food more accessible to the masses.
Dr. Mostofa, Member of Public Health and Nutrition at the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), provided detailed insights into the complexities of ensuring food safety in Bangladesh, focusing on the need for a food safety culture, the limitations of current enforcement due to resource constraints, and the crucial requirement for better coordination among various stakeholders
He shared his background as a scientist from BCSIR (Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) and notably, the Quality Manager for the first accredited government lab in Bangladesh, emphasizing his expertise in lab networks and testing, a field he continues to be involved with at BFSA.
Echoing previous speakers, Dr. Mostofa underscored that the core problem in food safety in Bangladesh is the lack of a "food safety culture." He acknowledged the abundance of laws and policies, but highlighted that the primary obstacles are the deficiency in skilled personnel for implementation, a lack of commitment, and poor coordination.
He described BFSA as a relatively young organization. Despite being the highest regulatory authority for food safety, he mentioned that BFSA currently lacks the power to issue licenses or registrations. Given these limitations, he stated that BFSA's immediate and primary focus is on building "awareness" and establishing a "food safety culture" among the populace.
Dr. Mostofa explained that while stringent laws exist for non-cooperation (fines and jail time) and contamination (substantial fines and imprisonment), BFSA currently refrains from strict enforcement. This is because, in his view, "almost everyone works in an unhygienic condition," and strict enforcement would be a challenge for a lot of people, which is not feasible. Therefore, the current strategy prioritizes "preventive" actions and awareness over immediate punitive measures.
He also observed that effective enforcement relies on strong, reliable, and accurate lab results, which remains a significant concern. He starkly contrasted BFSA's budget with that of the broader health sector, highlighting a severe resource disparity.
He passionately argued for greater investment in prevention, suggesting that an investment in BFSA could potentially save many times over the invested amount in healthcare costs within five years by reducing diseases like cancer and heart disease, which are often linked to unsafe food.
He also mentioned the lack of comprehensive national studies on food safety in Bangladesh. BFSA's research budget, after VAT, is only BDT 11-12 lakh, allowing for only 200-300 samples, whereas countries like India collect 6,000-8,000 samples for similar regulatory purposes. This limited sampling prevents BFSA from making definitive country-wide declarations about contamination.
Dr. Mostofa reiterated that the core issue isn't the absence of laws but the difficulty in coordination among various agencies. He observed that institutions are often unwilling to "relinquish their power" associated with licensing and registration, which impedes cohesive action. He emphasized that food safety is a "shared responsibility" involving around 25 different government ministries and organizations, in addition to consumers and manufacturers. He asserted that no single entity can tackle the problem alone, requiring joint efforts from all stakeholders.
He observed that while cooking helps mitigate biological contamination in Bangladesh due to common cooking practices, chemical contamination is the primary driver of serious health issues like cancer, as it is not removed by heat. He believes that adopting Good Livestock Practices, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and HACCP would inherently lead to safer products.
He concluded with optimism about future advancements, particularly a planned project, which will establish three divisional reference labs and a central office in Dhaka, significantly boosting the country's capacity for testing food contamination and adulteration. This project, projected to be completed by 2034-2035, will eventually allow for confident and robust enforcement of food safety regulations. He re-emphasized BFSA's current approach of prioritizing a "food safety culture" through awareness and a positive approach, reserving strict punishment for later stages, and extended an invitation to visit the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority.
Mr. Mridha, Global Manager for the Enterprise Development Program at Oxfam, shared insights from his experience working across Asia, Africa, and America, focusing on financing mechanisms for food safety, lessons learned from impact investments, and global best practices.
He emphasized that investments in food safety are primarily made by the government, large private sector entities, and development partners.
He identified major partners in large-scale investments, such as IFC and the World Bank. IFC uses a blended financing approach, providing technical grants for farmer training and capacity building, as well as concessional loans with lower interest rates.
The World Bank has an existing $500 million annual program for climate-smart capital, focusing on areas like solar cooling to reduce post-harvest loss and contamination. These organizations often employ "result-based financing" or "outcome-based financing," where funding is tied to achieving specific outcomes, such as certification, which then helps companies with global branding.
Oxfam, as a development partner, also provides financial support, such as working capital loans to entities like Khas Food, especially for safe storage and processing where traditional collateral might be an issue.
He observed that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) struggle to access these larger investments, and angel investors or venture capitalists are still very limited in Bangladesh.
Mr. Mridha highlighted that global investors are often hesitant to invest in Bangladesh's food safety sector, preferring countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, and India.
One major reason is their awareness of Bangladesh's regulatory capacity limitations. He also observed the dominance of the informal market (80-90% of food trade), which is difficult to integrate into structured investments.
Despite research indicating that 20% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for safe food, the reality in the mass market is different. Price competitiveness is crucial, especially for the mass population, making it difficult for businesses targeting this segment to operate profitably with premium pricing or subsidies. He stressed that consumer awareness and training are critical for mass market adoption of safe food products.
To overcome these challenges and attract more investment, Mr. Mridha suggested that Bangladesh needs to develop a "unique selling proposition" for its food safety initiatives.
He provided examples from other countries. India implemented a tiered licensing system and a hygiene rating for informal vendors and food carts, which proved effective. Thailand and Vietnam created "safe zones" with shared sanitation, water, and waste facilities, which significantly strengthened their food safety practices.
For Bangladesh, he proposed a coordinated effort involving the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Commerce to create an umbrella platform. This platform would brand Bangladesh's food safety efforts and provide investors with centralized information and data, similar to the positive impact observed from BIDA's recent coordination initiatives.
He strongly advocated for a blended financing model for SMEs working in the space. This facility should focus on subsidizing upfront capital expenditure (CAPEX) for things like certification and lab testing, rather than merely offering small subsidies on price. He believes this is crucial for the scalability and long-term sustainability of safe food initiatives, as previous discussions on such facilities have often not materialized.
He emphasized the need for a sustainable support system for farmers at the production level, as highlighted by other speakers, to address the foundational challenges in the food supply chain.
Mr. Arman, Managing Director of Khasfood Limited, provided insights from the perspective of a private sector company, focusing on the practical challenges of making safe food accessible and affordable in Bangladesh.
Mr. Arman began by expressing his dismay that food in Bangladesh must be classified as "safe" or "unsafe," emphasizing that food should inherently be safe and nutritious. He stated that this need for classification is Bangladesh's "greatest misfortune."
He posited that the solution to all food safety problems lies in a "one-liner" – an integrated effort from everyone involved in the food system. He believes that if everyone contributes collaboratively, safe food can become affordable and accessible to the mass population.
He reiterated the point made by previous speakers about the high cost of food testing. He observed that companies like his rely on laboratories, and each test incurs significant expense, making it challenging to ensure widespread testing.
Mr. Arman highlighted that current investment, particularly from large entities, often prioritizes big businesses ("big fish") concerned primarily with scaling their business rather than food safety. He mentioned that SMEs like Khasfood, who are genuinely concerned with safe food, often operate with limited financial capacity, making it difficult to access the necessary funding.
He explained that ensuring safe food involves maintaining a rigorous value chain, including cold chain, proper storage, and appropriate packaging, all of which add to the cost. This makes it challenging for companies to remain competitive while addressing issues like pest and bird damage or spoilage, which render food unsafe.
He stressed the need for awareness among both farmers and consumers. He also observed that private companies like his, being "very infantile" in the safe food industry, require significant support systems.
Mr. Arman emphasized the need for policy and structural changes to make safe food accessible and affordable for everyone. He called for proper research and development (R&D) to bring food within people's purchasing power. He advocated for a streamlined and simplified regulatory environment, including policies related to taxes and other business operations. He suggested that if the current "overlapping policies, rules, regulations, and standards" were unified into a "one-stop solution" under a single umbrella, the overall cost of food would decrease, benefiting both consumers and entrepreneurs.
Mr. Gazi from SPK Movement contributed to the discussion by highlighting several critical issues and proposing solutions, particularly from the perspective of an activist and entrepreneur.
Mr. Gazi observed a significant challenge: safe food entrepreneurs often become discouraged and cannot sustain their ventures.
He mentioned that a large portion of essential food items in Bangladesh, such as flour, wheat, and pulses are imported. He raised concerns about the government's capacity to test these imported foods for genetic modification (GMO/non-GMO). He observed that companies selling flour in Bangladesh do not label whether their products are GMO or non-GMO.
Mr. Gazi highlighted the widespread use of Glyphosate, a herbicide, during harvest periods (affecting 80-90% of harvest) to dry crops, leading to its residue in food.
He emphasized that Glyphosate is "being sold like snacks" and is used indiscriminately on grass and jungles. Referencing Tony Mitra's book, "The Poison Food of North America," he stated that Monsanto's claim of Glyphosate only harming plants and not humans is false. He explained that Glyphosate disrupts the "shikimic pathway" in plants, preventing them from absorbing essential minerals. He then drew a parallel, suggesting that similar bacteria in the human body, vital for food digestion, are affected by Glyphosate residues, leading to "nutrient theft" within the human system.
He urged stakeholders to find ways to cease Glyphosate use and to implement robust monitoring for GMOs and Glyphosate residues in imported foods. He asserted that consumers have a fundamental right to know if their food contains GMOs or Glyphosate, advocating for clear labeling.
He acknowledged the difficulties faced by safe food producers, including challenges with regulatory bodies like BSTI (Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution) and high transportation costs.
Finally, he stressed the importance of proper training for entrepreneurs to prevent financial losses due to a lack of knowledge, calling for increased support from both government and private sectors in this area.
The panelists collectively emphasized that addressing food safety challenges requires a multi-faceted, collaborative effort.
Integrated and Coordinated Approach: The most crucial recommendation from all panelists was for all ministries, departments, and stakeholders – government, private sector, academia, farmers, and consumers – to work together. "
Awareness Building and Behavioral Change: Extensive awareness campaigns are needed to educate both farmers on safe agricultural practices and consumers on proper food handling, storage, and the importance of safe food. Mr. Khan stated, "Mindset, behavioral change, communication, attitude, perception, and value system must be fixed first."
Strengthening Regulatory Bodies: The BFSA needs significantly more budget and manpower to effectively implement and enforce existing regulations.
Affordable Testing and Certification: Policies should aim to make food testing and certification economically viable for small and medium enterprises. Developing domestic capacity for producing testing standards would reduce costs.
Farmer Empowerment and Fair Returns: Ensuring that farmers receive fair prices for their produce is essential to incentivize them to adopt safe practices and reduce reliance on excessive chemical use.
Investment in the Safe Food Ecosystem: Creating blended financing facilities for SMEs to invest in certification, lab testing, and cold chain infrastructure is vital. This requires collective effort from Govt, banks and development partners.
Focus on Prevention: Shifting the national budget allocation towards preventive health measures, including food safety, can yield substantial long-term savings in healthcare costs.
"Food Safety Culture": The ultimate goal should be to build a culture where "food itself is a positive word," implying that all food is inherently safe and nutritious, eliminating the need to classify it as "safe" or "unsafe."
While the challenges are complex and interconnected, the panelists expressed optimism that through a concerted, integrated approach and a strong commitment from all stakeholders, Bangladesh can move towards a future where safe and nutritious food is accessible to all.
