Leaders of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) have stated that the only way to discourage unscrupulous traders and adulterators at all levels for now is through social resistance.
They made these remarks while speaking at a discussion meeting and Iftar Mahfil titled “Safe Iftar and Ramadan Activities” at the South Asian College Hallroom in Chawkbazar, Chattogram, on Friday.
Chaired by CAB leader Mohammad Abdul Alim, the event was addressed by Senior Vice President of CAB Central Committee SM Nazer Hossain and researcher Dr. Md. Mahafuzur Rahman.
The CAB leaders emphasized that empowering people is essential to prevent adulteration in iftar or food, as government agencies alone cannot address these issues effectively.
SM Nazer Hossain highlighted that the government has established a safe food authority to combat food adulteration, urging consumers to organize themselves to secure their rights.
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“Just as the youth of the July Movement freed the country from the clutches of dictators, we must unite to liberate ourselves from unscrupulous traders and adulterators,” he added.
He accused unscrupulous circles of artificially inflating prices of soybean oil, rice, and onions, while authorities overlook public grievances, echoing past governmental inaction.
Speakers noted that palm oil, often fraudulently sold as soybean oil, contributes to fatal diseases like heart conditions and digestive ailments. Premature deaths due to adulterated food remain a pressing concern.
CAB Chittagong Divisional General Secretary Kazi Iqbal Bahar Saberi remarked, “While traders, even rickshaw pullers, are organized, consumers remain fragmented, allowing exploitation by unethical businesses.”
The event was also attended by former student leaders, including International Human Rights Commission Central Committee President MA Hashem Raju. CAB Chittagong Metropolitan Organizing Secretary Jannatul Ferdous, Youth CAB Chittagong Divisional Committee Organizer Lion Sajjad Uddin, and Odhikar Chittagong Organizer Journalist Osman Jahangir were present as special guests.