United News of Bangladesh

Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder has instructed the authorities concerned, including deputy commissioners (DCs) and food officials, to take necessary measures to stop the illegal hoarding of foods. The adviser exchanged views with the concerned officials over the procurement of Aman paddy and rice in the current 2024-25 season at the Circuit House of Barishal on Monday.   Anti-tobacco activities to be strengthened in Gazipur city Emphasising the importance of ensuring adequate food stock to maintain the nation’s food security, the adviser provided necessary guidance to all DCs of the Barishal division, as well as the concerned food officials, to ensure the target for Aman collection is met. Ali Imam advised all to work in coordination to achieve the goal of food procurement during the current season. To facilitate the procurement of paddy from farmers, the Food Adviser informed that the government’s app be used to collect paddy. In areas where issues with the app are encountered, paddy should be collected from farmers upon verification of their national identification card (NID). As part of the government's initiative to provide price support to farmers, the government has set the price of per kilogram paddy at Tk 33, an increase by Tk 3 compared to the past year. The prices for parboiled and unpolished rice have been set at Tk 47 and Tk 46 per kilogram, also an increase by Tk 3 for both items, he said. JU VC calls on Dr Yunus, seeks advice on JUCSU election The procurement period for paddy and parboiled rice will last until February 28 and for unpolished rice, until March 15, 2025, he shared. Attending officials have so far expressed satisfaction over the paddy and rice collection and hoped that the target will be met within the set timeframe. Director General of the Food Department, the Divisional Commissioner of Barishal, RC Food, district commissioners from all districts of the Barishal division, DC Food, and other concerned officials, among others were present at the meeting.

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." Fake food products threaten public health in Bangladesh, experts warn 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.