Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Thursday called upon everyone to come forward to ensure safe food The Food Minister said this at the inauguration ceremony of Safe Food Carnival at the Hall of Fame of Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. The food minister said that it costs a little more to get quality food. "We have to create the mentality that we will eat less but eat quality food if necessary. If it is cheap, there is a tendency to eat more. In that case, he commented that it should be bought only after confirming the quality," he also said. He said that once a lot of shrimps were exported from the country, but after the addition of harmful jelly exports started to decline. Entire Bangladesh to be brought under rail network: Railways Minister Pointing out that there is a demand for quality products abroad, he said, quality products must be ensured to be exported abroad. He also said the production of exportable products should be increased alongside gaining the confidence of foreign buyers. " If the imam of the mosque makes the Muslims aware about safe food , then the awareness will increase. If the school teacher encourages at least 2 minutes about safe food before his lecture, it will have an impact on the students," he added. Urging all to come forward from their respective  positions, he also said that once there was a shortage of food in the country, there was also manga. "We are not there now. We have become self-sufficient in food grain production. Now we are working on providing nutritious and safe food to consumers," he also added. Secretary of the Ministry of Food Ismail Hossain said that awareness should be increased for safe food. Nasrul Hamid trashes demand for removing electricity-run autorickshaws from streets Saying that food safety has already been included in the textbooks, he said that there are plans to extend it up to secondary level. If it is up to the secondary level, it will not be required at the college level. There are inspiring people in the society to work here, he said. "If the issue of safe food can be taught from primary education then the matter will be easier," he said Abdul Qayyum Sarkar, Chairman of Safe Food Authority, was the special guest at the event. Later the food minister visited various stalls of safe food products. On the occasion of National Safe Food Day, 2024, the three-day 'Safe Food Carnival', which started for the first time with the country's traditional food, will play an important role in informing the public about the safety practices of various food establishments in food production, processing and export and in increasing inter-coordination among establishments. The food carnival is open to all for three consecutive days from 8 am to 10 pm every day. Visitors do not have to pay any additional entry fee to enter the carnival. No narcotic substances found in energy drinks: Industries Minister  Safe Food Authority is organising this carnival to inform common people about food safety related to food production, processing and export of various establishments and to increase inter-coordination among food establishments. The carnival will have a variety of traditional regional foods starting from Mejban of Chittagong, Dai of Bogra, Kalai Ruti of Rajshahi, Matri Bhandar of Comilla, Shalik of Cox's Bazar, Manda of Muktagacha. In addition to these, there will be five-star hotel's famous food arrangements. Special menus of five star hotels like Hotel Intercontinental, Pan Pacific, Holiday Inn, Dhaka Regency, Crowne Plaza and Hotel Amari will be displayed at the carnival.

Issuing a warning to hoarders, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Sunday said those who are involved in hoarding goods illegally will not be spared by slapping fine only, rather they will be jailed if they are not corrected. “To bring the prices of rice at a tolerable level, the traders have to change their mindset of making more profit. Millers, retailers, wholesalers and corporates all are  responsible for the hike in rice price,” he said. Temperature drops to season’s lowest 5 degree Celsius in Panchagarh’s Tetulia The minister came up with the remarks while speaking at a view-exchange meeting with the public representatives and government officials concerned at deputy commissioner’s conference room in Naogaon at noon. He also said the government will soon introduce digital card for OMS products distribution to prevent taking goods by the same person frequently. Another Bangladeshi shot dead by BSF along Lalmonirhat border Referring to the "Production, Storage, Transfer, Transportation, Supply, Distribution and Marketing of Food Products (Prevention of Prejudicial Activity) Bill, 2023, Sadhan said already the bill was passed in parliament. “Stern action will be taken against the illegal hoarders through enforcement of the law.” Dinajpur, Panchagarh shivering in country's lowest temperatures today Besides, he also asked the director general of the Directorate General of Food over phone to issue an order to cancel the leave of all officials concerned during the anti-hoarding drive.

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Monday warned that the government will take stern action against anyone found hoarding rice stocks. He told the corporate organizations that they should refrain from buying paddy by competing in the market. From a national tragedy to technological triumph: Sajeeb Wazed’s journey in Bangladesh’s transformation The minister was talking at a meeting with the representatives of six corporates of the country in his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday afternoon. The food minister said, "I had a meeting with the millers and they said that the corporates are competing and are buying paddy and stocking it." "They (millers) point the finger at you. We want to know the real facts," the minister added. Mild cold wave sweeps Rangpur, Rajshahi divs, some districts: Met Office He said that rice is available in the market under different brand names, on which the maximum retail price is written. "We also want the attachment of the millers' price. If so, retailers cannot raise prices suddenly or unreasonably," he mentioned. Food Secretary Ismail Hossain said that regular monitoring is being carried out to see if anyone is buying paddy or rice for illegal stockpiling. “If someone tries to store beyond the capacity, we will review the storage capacity if necessary.” Woman crossing the road dies after truck hits her in Dhaka’s Demra Representatives of City Group, Square, Pran RFL, Meghna Group, ACI and Akiz Essential participated in the meeting. At that time, they agreed to write the price of the millers on the sack and assured their full cooperation.

The government announced a zero tolerance policy against illegal hoarders, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said on Thursday. The minister was speaking at a virtual meeting with the administrative officials of eight divisions at the secretariat. At that time, he directed the administrative officials to take action according to the law if anyone is found stocking illegally without a licence. Even 12th parliamentary election is not beyond controversy: CEC "No one can run rice trading without a food grain licence," he said. The minister said that the government's priority is to keep the common people at ease by controlling the prices. "If we work unitedly and sincerely, commodity prices will come under control very soon," he hoped. Brick Kiln Tracker' to be used to detect polluting brick kilns: Minister He said that many squirrels have already been caught in various districts and upazilas of the country, including Dhaka. The food minister said that fines have been imposed during the drives and arrangements have been made to sell the rice quickly. He directed the divisional commissioners to continue the operation against the illegal hoarders. “If necessary, crash programmes should be taken up to make it successful,” he said. He, however, urged to take action carefully so that the ordinary farmers would not be harassed. Brick Kiln Tracker' to be used to detect polluting brick kilns: Minister Chaired by Food Secretary Md Ismail Hossain, the meeting was attended by Director General of the Directorate General of Food Md Shakhawat Hossain and divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, superintendents of police and regional food controllers and district food controllers of the country.

The government will start open market sale (OMS) of whole-wheat flour packets across the country from October 1, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said today (September 13, 2022). The process of packaging whole-wheat flour for OMS has already started, he said at the ‘BSRF Dialogue’, organised by Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat. “Packed whole-wheat flour may cost a little more. However, it will be sold at half the price of the flour that is being sold in the market,” he added. Read:OMS will continue till rice market is stable: Food Minister “We will allocate one tonne of whole-wheat flour per day to dealers in districts and city corporations for sale from October 1,” said the minister. Besides, the shipping of imported wheat has also started, he added.

To keep the rice market stable, the government has taken a decision to allow private firms to import rice, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said on Monday. “A summary of the meeting with resolution will be sent to the Prime Minister for final decision,” he said while talking to reporters after a meeting of Food Planning and Containment Committee at the Secretariat. During the meeting, discussion was held on duty-free rice import after ensuring that farmers and others concerned are not affected by the decision, he said. Also read: Rice price coming down after anti-hoarding drive: Food Minister However, the final decision will come from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Talking about the drives against illegal hoarding of rice, Sadhan said already people have started getting the benefits of the drives and the drives against illegal ricer hoarders will continue. Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim and  State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman were present at the virtual meeting. Also read: Rice cannot be packaged for sale after buying those from open market: Minister

The government’s drive against illegal hoarding of rice has been successful in lowering the price of the essential item in the market, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said Sunday. The minister said this while talking to journalists at the logo unveiling of the ‘International Nutrition Olympiad 2022’ at his ministry. “On Tuesday evening, the drive against hoarding of paddy and rice began a day after it was discussed at a cabinet meeting. In the drive conducted across the country till Saturday, a huge amount of illegally stockpiled rice was found and actions were taken,” said the minister. Also read: AL profiteers’ foul play behind rice price hike: BNP While replying to a question he said, “The price is lowering but when it will come down exactly is hard to say. We are conducting drives in mills after receiving specific complaints.” The minister said that a meeting of the Food Planning and Containment Committee, the highest committee of the government on food, would be held on Monday where other measures to control the market prices will be discussed. Also read: Rice cannot be packaged for sale after buying those from open market: Minister

There will be no food crisis in the country as Bangladesh’s soil can yield gold, said Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Monday. “Farmers are harvesting Boro, Aush and Aman paddy and we’ll do everything whatever is needed against the illegal hoarders. Rice will be imported to make consumers comfortable after reducing taxes, if needed,” he said. The minister said this while speaking at a virtual view-exchange meeting on ‘Boro procurement and market monitoring’ at the Secretariat. Also read: Strict action if anyone tries to destabilise rice market: Food Minister He also urged the traders to show their humanity to the consumers and not to think about excessive profit. Sadhan also asked the authorities concerned to complete 70 per cent procurement by June. The minister asked the authorities concerned to take steps so no farmer or mill owners faced any unwanted harassment during rice, paddy procurement. Also read: Budget 2022-23: Govt to increase fertilizer subsidy to ensure food security He also asked the mill owners to ensure quality of rice as there will be no compromise with the quality.

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Sunday warned that stern action will be taken against those who will try to destabilise the rice market in the country. The condition in the rice market must be monitored as well as make the Boro paddy procurement drive a success, he said in a virtual view-exchange meeting on ‘Boro 2022 season’s internal procurement and market monitoring’ at the secretariat. “If any attempt is made to destablise the rice market action will be taken against those involved in it irrespective of their party affiliation,” he warned. There is an unhealthy competition among traders to buy and hoard paddy thinking that it to be profitable but it will not bring good results, said the minister. Also read: Budget 2022-23: Govt to increase fertilizer subsidy to ensure food security Thinking that Russia-Ukraine war may trigger food crisis in Bangladesh, many are hoarding paddy illegally, said Nirod Baran Saha Chandan, president of the Naogaon Paddy and Rice Wholesale Traders’ Association, at the meeting. Noting that new rice is not coming to the market yet, Sadhan Chandra said the rice that is available in the market now is last year’s old rice. “So where is the new rice going?” he asked the mill owners. He also directed the mill owners to report to the officials concerned of the food department on how much paddy is bought by whom and who is marketing how much rice after crushing. Various corporate houses have started rice business, he said adding they are buying and packaging rice and selling those  in the market at higher prices. The minister also directed the officials of the food department to hold a meeting as soon as possible with the corporate houses involved in rice business. Meanwhile, many countries of the world including India have sent letters expressing interest to export wheat to Bangladesh, he said. Also read: No food shortage in country: Agriculture Minister The food minister also said nor’westers have damaged paddy in the northern parts of the country and it is important to ascertain the exact amount of losses in each district.

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Monday asked the officials to find out why rice prices are going up despite a bumper yield of Boro paddy in the country. “The rational prices of paddy and rice were fixed this year. It is not expected at all that the rice mill owners would increase the prices at their whim,” he said, joining a virtual meeting from his official residence in the city. Read: Boro procurement drive must be successful at any cost: Food Minister The minister said the government will continue its efforts to keep the rice prices at a tolerable level. The meeting was held to review the progress of the government’s programme to procure Boro paddy and rice in Khulna and Barishal divisions. Sadhan Chandra said the rice prices saw no hike in montns of Chaitra and Boishakh. He directed the food directorate officials to ensure 75 per cent of the Boro collection and make the procurement programme a success by collecting paddy and rice as per the guidelines issued by the food ministry. The food minister stressed the need for the regular market monitoring with the help of the district administration to keep the rice prices stable. He asked the field-level food officials to show sincerity to collect the Boro rice from the mill owners as per the agreement. “Otherwise, actions will be taken against the officials alongside the mill owners,” Sadhan warned. Food Secretary Dr Nazmanara Khanum also spoke at the meeting, presided over by additional director general of food Abdul Aziz Molla. The field-level officials joined the meeting virtually from Khulna and Barishal divisions, said a handout.