Dr. Najma Shaheen, former director of the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science at Dhaka University, on Wednesday said a research team of the university has detected the presence of mercury in crude edible oil.

Mercury found in crude edible oil cannot be removed even through refining processes. Dr. Shaheen  said at a seminar titled “Fortified Edible Oils: Enhancing Health and Nutrition for a Better Future”, organized by the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).

The research team tested various parameters of oil and found that the results for loose oil were highly inconsistent with the ideal standards, she said.

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Besides, non-branded soybean oil was found to be mixed with other oils or impurities, based on the test results, she said.

Mohammad Alim Akhtar Khan, Director General of the National Consumer Rights Protection Department, was present as the chief guest at the seminar.

Addressing the restaurant owners' association, he said, “Make an announcement stating that you do not use unpackaged oil in your establishments. This will help consumers identify which oil is safe and which not.”

Alim Akhtar also urged the authorities concerned to establish a model upazila that uses fortified edible oil.

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The session began with a welcome speech by BFSA member Dr. Mohammad Shoaib, and was chaired by Zakaria, Chairman of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority.

Dr. Zakaria highlighted the serious health risks related to edible oil saying “Every year, 320,000 people die due to diseases caused by unsafe edible oil.”

He thanked GAIN for organising the event and expressed his gratitude to all attendees.

Sultan Alam, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industries, and Dr. Rudaba Khandaker, Country Director of GAIN, were present as special guests.

Sultan Alam stressed the importance of increased awareness, saying, “One of the main contributors to health problems is oil. Reducing oil consumption can significantly improve health, and we need to increase public awareness and use social media for campaigns.”

Dr. Khandaker emphasised the importance of evidence-based decisions and the involvement of youth and marginalised groups in tackling these issues.

“Youth are a significant part of the country, and their participation is crucial,” she said.

The seminar was attended by BFSA officials, representatives from various government departments, the restaurant owners' association, GAIN, civil society, media, and student representatives.

END/UNB/SI/FH