The alarming rise in food and agricultural product adulteration in Bangladesh has become a public health crisis, leading to diseases such as cancer and kidney failure due to the presence of toxic chemicals, dyes, and preservatives. To address this pressing issue, the current interim government has approved a groundbreaking initiative-a Taka 2,000 crore project aimed at tackling food adulteration and improving food safety standards. The project, named the "Food Safety Capacity Development Project," was recently greenlit at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
As part of this initiative, a new office and training building for the reference laboratory will be established in Dhaka. The project will focus on improving food safety and ensuring the quality of food products, including agricultural items that are often subjected to adulteration. In its first phase, the project will involve the construction of offices and labs in Dhaka, Chittagong, and Khulna, along with designing an effective strategy for food safety monitoring.
The primary focus will be on products such as fish, meat, milk, and eggs, which are most commonly found to contain harmful substances like antibiotics. This project is expected to improve the safety and quality of these products, ensuring they meet international standards and can be exported without concerns over contamination. Additionally, the initiative aims to address the widespread issue of counterfeit food products in the market that harm both consumers and legitimate businesses.
According to the National Consumer Rights Protection Department, a total of 15,161 organizations were fined for selling adulterated or counterfeit products up until January 31 of the current fiscal year, totaling Taka 101.76 crore. This represents a decline from the previous fiscal year, where 24,223 organizations were penalized. The government aims to curb such illegal practices and ensure the safety of food products, both for domestic consumption and for export.
Planning Advisor Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud emphasized the need for a comprehensive food safety system, highlighting that while the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) exists, it is insufficient to ensure international acceptance. The new project will introduce world-class testing facilities and technology, making it easier to monitor the quality of food products. The project's implementation is expected to improve the export of Bangladeshi food items such as shrimp, fish, mangoes, and vegetables, which have faced challenges in international markets due to concerns over their safety and quality.
With the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the project will be implemented over ten years, with a focus on creating a robust infrastructure for food safety and testing. Dr. Mahmud expressed optimism that, once fully operational, the project will help prevent food adulteration, enhance the quality of domestic products, and boost Bangladesh's food exports, benefiting both public health and the national economy.
The government of Bangladesh has approved a major initiative to combat food adulteration and improve food safety standards across the country. The "Food Safety Capacity Development Project," which is set to be implemented over the next five years, has a total cost of Taka 2,409.70 crore. Of this amount, the government will contribute Taka 3,900.78 crore, while the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will provide loan assistance worth Taka 2,180.91 crore. The project is slated to run from January 2023 to December 2029.
The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) will be responsible for the implementation of this ambitious project, which will focus on building a robust food safety infrastructure in three major divisions of the country: Dhaka, Khulna, and Chittagong. The initiative aims to establish a world-class reference laboratory office in Dhaka, along with a training center to improve the technical capacity of food safety personnel. Additionally, laboratory facilities will be constructed in the Chittagong and Khulna divisions to enhance regional capabilities in food testing.
The first phase of the project will involve preparing detailed designs for laboratory and office spaces in the three divisions, followed by the construction and supervision of these facilities. Furthermore, the project will focus on strengthening the skills of officers and employees working at the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority and laboratories, helping them become better equipped to handle food safety tasks.
One of the primary goals of the project is to establish an international-standard system for food quality testing, a critical component of food safety administration. The project also aims to introduce a nationwide food business licensing system, raise awareness among food business operators, and implement surveillance and health certification procedures for both imported and exported food products. These improvements are expected to lead to better management of food safety risks and ensure safer food for consumers.
Planning Commission sources have stated that the project will also help enhance the food inspection process, develop skilled professionals in food safety, and improve the overall management of food risks. This will ensure safer production and consumption of both domestic and imported food, including agricultural products, livestock, and marine foods. As a result, the Commission is optimistic that the project will contribute to increasing food exports, generating much-needed foreign exchange for the country.
However, despite the project's positive outlook, concerns have been raised about its actual implementation. Director General of the National Consumer Rights Protection Department, Md. Alim Akhtar Khan, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of such projects. He pointed out that while the "Food Safety Capacity Development Project" has been approved and touted as excellent, the real challenge lies in its execution. Khan further criticized the potential for misuse of funds and the possibility of corruption, citing past examples of funds being misappropriated in the name of project implementation.
Despite these concerns, market surveillance and efforts to curb food adulteration are being intensified, especially with Ramadan approaching. The government has vowed to continue its campaign against food adulteration and counterfeit products in the coming months, aiming to protect consumers and ensure the integrity of the food market.
The success of the "Food Safety Capacity Development Project" will depend on the government's commitment to following through with the proposed reforms and monitoring the progress of the initiative, ensuring that the funds allocated are used efficiently to improve food safety in the country.
