Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday called for stronger measures against food adulteration and directed the formation of a three-member high-level committee to identify challenges faced by relevant agencies and recommend steps to improve their effectiveness.
He issued the directive at a meeting held at Secretariat with officials involved in food safety, product quality control, anti-adulteration drives and mobile court operations.
Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Md Suzauddhowla Sujon confirmed the development.
The proposed committee will comprise Prime Minister’s Public Administration Adviser Ismail Zabiullah, State Minister for Public Administration Abdul Bari and Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani.
During the meeting, representatives from the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and city corporations outlined a range of challenges faced during anti-adulteration drives.
They called for increased manpower at district level, improved laboratory facilities, modern equipment for field operations and enhanced powers for mobile courts.
Officials also raised concerns over security risks while taking action against influential individuals and organised syndicates involved in food adulteration and other irregularities.
The prime minister assured them that the government would take necessary steps to address these issues.
“Problems will always exist. Even then, we must move forward despite those challenges. We cannot afford to sit idle,” he was quoted as saying by Sujon.
Tarique noted that several countries once less developed than Bangladesh had achieved significant progress.
“We also have to move forward. If everyone works together sincerely, it is certainly possible. Everyone must be more responsible and conscious for the sake of the country,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of public awareness, the Prime Minister referred to pollution in urban water bodies, including Gulshan Lake.
“Many of our lakes are being filled with waste. Sadly, much of this waste is dumped by educated people in society. Those who should be the most aware are often not. To change the country, government initiatives alone are not enough. Citizens must also show goodwill and act responsibly,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar, Commerce Secretary Ataur Rahman Khan, Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, BSTI Director General Kazi Imdadul Haque and senior officials from relevant agencies.
