In a significant move towards ensuring food safety and consumer protection, the Bangladesh Safe Food Authority (BFSA) hosted a meeting on Monday to present and solicit feedback on the "Safe Food (Advertisement and Claims) Regulations, 2024." Held in the BFSA training room, the gathering aimed at refining the draft regulation, which comprises 16 comprehensive articles addressing various aspects of food advertising and claims. Under the proposed regulation, penalties will be imposed for false advertising, use of language that offends community sentiments, obscene content, and false superiority claims about food products. The draft meticulously outlines conditions for advertising, including nutrition and no-salt claims, use of additives, health support claims, and prohibited claims. It also details the process for handling advertising complaints and the penalties for non-compliance. Read: Ghorer Bazar offers safe food products, focusing on health, sustainability Abdul Qayyum Sarkar, Chairman of the BFSA, chaired the meeting and encouraged the integration of stakeholder feedback into the final regulations. The session featured discussions led by notable participants, including Rezaul Karim, former BFSA member, and Nazma Begum, who delivered the welcoming address. Highlighting the regulations' objectives, Nazma Begum stated, "These regulations aim to halt misleading or inaccurate advertisements by considering consumer demands and adhering to Codex principles." Read: Ensure safe food: Food minister Professor Razia Begum of Dhaka University's Department of Marketing emphasized the importance of strict enforcement and broad media dissemination post-implementation. The event saw active participation from representatives of various food establishments, who contributed their insights, with the BFSA assuring consideration of all input received. Nazneen Akhter, a scientific officer at the BFSA, presented the keynote, while the meeting was moderated by Sheikh Ferdous Arafat, a law officer at the authority. This initiative represents a critical step toward enhancing food safety standards and consumer trust in Bangladesh. Read more: First 'Safe Food Carnival' in the country starts from Feb 8

Members of the Executive Committee (EC) of Bangladesh Foreign Service Association (BFSA) led by its President and Additional Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam visited Tungipara, Gopalganj on Wednesday and paid their respect to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. They placed a wreath on the Mausoleum of the Father of the Nation and took part in a recitation of Fatiha and prayers. The EC reiterated their commitment to the principle of Bangladesh's foreign policy as guided by Father of the Nation in his vision of "Friendship to all, and malice towards none". Also Read: BFSA donates Tk 32.50 lakh for Ashrayan project The officials expressed their commitment to establish smart diplomacy to build Smart Bangladesh as envisioned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.  

Bangladesh Private Medical College Association (BPMCA) and Bangladesh Foreign Service Association (BFSA) handed over relief materials to Foreign Minister and lawmaker of Sylhet-1 constituency Dr AK Abdul Momen. The handover ceremony was held at the state guest house the Padma in the capital on Tuesday afternoon. BPMCA president MA Mobin Khan handed over 50,000 packets of dry foods worth 20 lakh. The packets included rice, lentil, fried rice, salt, sugar, powdered milk, saline, and water purification tablets. Also Read: Flood claims 22 lives in Sylhet division in 7 days, says divisional health director On the other hand, BFSA president Sabbir Ahmed Chowdhury handed over a cheque of Tk 5 lakh to the foreign minister.  Dr Momen thanked the BPMCA and BFSA for their contribution to the people of Sylhet during this natural disaster. He specially thanked Bangladesh Private Medical College Association for sending a medical team to the flood-affected areas.

In order to safeguard public health, the draft regulations on “Limiting Trans Fatty Acid in Food Products Regulations, 2021”has been uploaded for public consultation on the website of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (http://www.bfsa.gov.bd/).

The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) will unveil its draft policy on Monday seeking public opinion before finalising the guideline to regulate the use of industrially-produced trans fat in the food supply.

A by-product of a process called hydrogenation that is used to turn healthy oils into solids, Trans Fatty Acid (TFA), commonly known as trans fat, has now emerged as a deadly threat to life on Earth and Bangladesh as well.

Bangladesh Foreign Service Association (BFSA) has demanded justice over the attack on Wahida Khanam identifying the actual reasons behind such a brutal attack.

State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain on Tuesday emphasised on ensuring safe food to improve the living standards of the people of the country and build a prosperous nation.