Speakers focus on safe, nutritious food for healthy lives

JHENIDAH, Oct 28: Speakers at a seminar in the district laid emphasis on healthy eating in everyday life.

The seminar on Nutrition and Food Safety was held at the conference room of the deputy director of DAE, Jhenidah on Sunday.

The Bangladesh Institute of Research and Training on Applied Nutrition (BIRTEN), regional office, Jhenidah under the Ministry of Agriculture implemented the programme.

Dr ATM Mijanur Rahman, associate professor of the Applied Nutrition, Food and Technology Department at Islamic University (IU) presented the keynote paper in the seminar titled 'Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health Concerns in Bangladesh'.

Professor Dr Momtazul Islam, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, IU, was present at the function as the chief guest.

Tanvir Ahmed, assistant professor of the Nutrition and Food Technology Department, Jashore University of Science and Technology (SUST) also spoke on the occasion.

GM Abdur Rouf, deputy director of DAE, Jhenidah, presided over the ceremony.

A number of professionals attended the function.

Tanvir Rahmam said all fresh foods are safe foods but not safe for all.

"Babies should not be given cow milk and honey before they are one year old. They should not be fed with salt and sugar at their early ages," he added.

Dr Mijanur exposed his subject matter of the keynote in detail putting emphasis on taking secure food.

Prof Mijanur said, "Since Bangladesh achieved food safety, now it needs to ensure healthy food."

"Food is adulterated artificially by adding unnatural colour. We should be cautious against taking antibiotics as indiscriminate use of this medicine could harm us greatly," he added.

Dr Momtazul Islam said, "No processed foods are properly fit for sound health because they are prepared with excess oil, salt, sugar etc which are mostly harmful for health."

Natural food, especially raw or fresh food is very beneficial to health, he added.

GM Rouf said "We have attained food safety in solid food items like rice, vegetables and animal and chicken flesh. However, we have take vitamins and minerals as they are two vital food ingredients."

"We need to produce mushrooms in larger quantities for public health as they provide us with amino acid which is inevitable to keep fit," DD added.

[email protected]