‘16pc people suffer from kidney diseases for adulterated food intake’

At least 16 per cent of the country’s population is suffering from kidney-related diseases due to intake of chemically contaminated and adulterated food. Speakers pointed this out at a roundtable, organised by Poribesh Bachao Andolon (POBA) at its office in the capital yesterday on the occasion of World Food Day. A section of unscrupulous people are involved in the adulteration of various food products, although there are three laws in the country meant to prevent such illegal activities, they said. POBA general secretary Md Abdus Sobhan presented a keynote paper at the event. POBA chairman Abu Naser Khan, joint general secretary Dr Lelin Chowdhury, researcher Pavel Partha, 71 Foundation chairman Dr Khaled Shawkat Ali, advocate Mahbubul Alam, Juba Foundation chairman Md Shahidullah and Delwar Jahan of Prakritik Krishi were among the speakers.

The speakers expressed concern that the nation would face a disaster if poison-free, unadulterated food was not ensured for all. They urged the government to bring the criminals to book. Millions of people in the country have been suffering from various diseases like kidney ailments and cancer for consuming toxic foodstuff, they said.

Abdus Sobhan, in his keynote paper, said that three laws—the Vokta Adhikar Sangrakhan Ain 2009, Safe Food Law 2013 and Formalin Control Act 2015—should be strongly enforced against those involved in food adulteration. Referring to the results of recent food tests at the National Food Safety Research Institution, Sobhan said 82 food items were tested in this laboratory. The results showed 40 per cent of food items were unfit for human consumption as per the European Union (EU)-fixed tolerable limit, he added.

As per the keynote paper, the presence of DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane), aldrin, chlordane, heptachlor and other toxic materials were found during the test. These substances have been classified as dangerous by the World Health Organisation, it said.  

Besides, the presence of lead, arsenic, antibiotic and other heavy metals are also found in different food items such as vegetables, rice, salt, liquid milk, fish and chicken, Sobhan said in his keynote paper.

Speakers said, the entire environment was under threat due to pollution as waterbodies are also coming under severe threat due to the mixing of various pesticides used in farmlands. They urged the government to regulate the use of pesticides so that they were not used in excess by farmers.

The speakers demanded that the government should strengthen of the monitoring system to ensure safe food for people across the country.

MK

16pc people suffer from kidney diseases for adulterated food intake

At least 16 per cent of the countrys population is suffering from kidney-related diseases due to intake of chemically contaminated and adulterated food. Speakers pointed this out at a roundtable, organised by Poribesh Bachao Andolon (POBA) at its office in the capital yesterday on the occasion of World Food Day. A section of unscrupulous people are involved in the adulteration of various food products, although there are three laws in the country meant to prevent such illegal activities, they said. POBA general secretary Md Abdus Sobhan presented a keynote paper at the event. POBA chairman Abu Naser Khan, joint general secretary Dr Lelin Chowdhury, researcher Pavel Partha, 71 Foundation chairman Dr Khaled Shawkat Ali, advocate Mahbubul Alam, Juba Foundation chairman Md Shahidullah and Delwar Jahan of Prakritik Krishi were among the speakers. The speakers expressed concern that the nation would face a disaster if poison-free, unadulterated food was not ensured for all. They urged the government to bring the criminals to book. Millions of people in the country have been suffering from various diseases like kidney ailments and cancer for consuming toxic foodstuff, they said. Abdus Sobhan, in his keynote paper, said that three lawsthe Vokta Adhikar Sangrakhan Ain 2009, Safe Food Law 2013 and Formalin Control Act 2015should be strongly enforced against those involved in food adulteration. Referring to the results of recent food tests at the National Food Safety Research Institution, Sobhan said 82 food items were tested in this laboratory. The results showed 40 per cent of food items were unfit for human consumption as per the European Union (EU)-fixed tolerable limit, he added. As per the keynote paper, the presence of DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane), aldrin, chlordane, heptachlor and other toxic materials were found during the test. These substances have been classified as dangerous by the World Health Organisation, it said. Besides, the presence of lead, arsenic, antibiotic and other heavy metals are also found in different food items such as vegetables, rice, salt, liquid milk, fish and chicken, Sobhan said in his keynote paper. Speakers said, the entire environment was under threat due to pollution as waterbodies are also coming under severe threat due to the mixing of various pesticides used in farmlands. They urged the government to regulate the use of pesticides so that they were not used in excess by farmers. The speakers demanded that the government should strengthen of the monitoring system to ensure safe food for people across the country. MK