Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumdar has said that the country's efforts to ensure safe food will be significantly bolstered through the establishment of laboratory facilities.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of a mini-laboratory under the Capacity Building Project of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) on Tuesday.
Highlighting the importance of infrastructure development for food safety, Majumdar said, "This laboratory is a crucial addition to our infrastructure. It will allow us to expand our activities towards ensuring safe food for all."
Speaking at the event, the Food Adviser expressed optimism about addressing health issues arising from unsafe food. "I hope we can pay greater attention to ensuring that everyone has access to safe food, and that no one faces health problems due to contaminated or unsafe food."
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Majumdar emphasised the need to increase public awareness, foster social consciousness, and strengthen law enforcement to achieve the goal of food safety.
He also lauded the current government's commitment to ensuring food safety across the country.
The newly inaugurated mini-laboratory is equipped to conduct various tests, including:
- Detecting pesticide residues in dried fish, vegetables, and fruits.
- Identifying harmful potassium bromate in bread.
- Measuring heavy metals in food items.
- Identifying artificial colouring agents in food.
- Testing water for mineral content.
- Detecting antibiotic residues in milk.
- Identifying toxic substances in honey.
- Screening for microbes in food products.
- Analysing lactose content in infant food.
- Detecting bacteria such as Salmonella and coliform in food products.
Prior to the inauguration, Majumdar visited BFSA's mobile laboratory facilities, which are operational in eight divisions across the country.
These mobile labs enable the on-the-spot collection and testing of food samples, enhancing the authority's capacity to monitor food safety in real time.