Food Minister Afroza Khanam on Sunday stressed the need for strict quality control and accountability at every stage of the food supply chain, from import and transportation to storage, testing and distribution, to ensure food security in the country.

“Negligence in performing duties at any stage in assessing the quality of food grains will not be acceptable,” she said while inspecting the MV ‘Spring Sky’, a vessel carrying wheat imported from the United States, at the Patenga outer anchorage of Chattogram Port.

Emphasising the quality of imported wheat, the minister said all food grains must be tested against prescribed parameters and standards, with decisions taken strictly on the basis of test results.

She said there must be no scope for accepting or supplying substandard food grains under any circumstances.

Afroza said the government would work to ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency in food management while addressing longstanding problems through realistic and well-planned initiatives.

Addressing officials and employees of the Food Department, the minister said ensuring food security was a vital public service responsibility that required everyone to work with sincerity, integrity and dedication, keeping public interests at the forefront.

She said the professional competence, commitment and sense of responsibility of officials and employees would be duly evaluated.

Referring to the food needs of the general population and the challenges faced by marginalised communities, Afroza said all concerned must work collectively to ensure that no one in the country suffers from food shortages and that food reaches everyone in a timely manner.

The Director General of the Directorate General of Food, relevant officials of the Food Department and representatives of the district administration were present during the inspection.