The constitution by the government of a five-member panel with the responsibility of devising a work plan to make agricultural produces meant for export to the European Union (EU) unhindered is positive by all means. This obviously is in response to the ban slapped on Bangladesh's agri-exports to the EU following detection of Salmonella bacterium in consignments of betel leaves from the country to Britain. This is not for the first time that the country has encountered such an export embarrassment and reversal. In case of shrimp export, the presence of fungi and even iron bars prompted similar action from the EU countries in the past. Delegates from the EU visited Bangladesh's shrimp hatcheries and preservation facilities to inspect the entire process. On implementation of its suggestions, export of the item could be resumed. This time as well, the ban has been extended from July 31, 2014 to June 30, 2015.
Now the panel has a tough task to suggest ways and means for correcting the process at all points - from cultivation to harvest and transportation of not only of betel leaf but also of other fresh vegetables and fruits to be destined for the 28 EU countries. That the EU sets a benchmark for the imported commodities is only natural because governments there care so much for the standard of living and quality of life. One would be happy if the same could be said about the administration in many Third World or developing countries like that of Bangladesh. The troubling question here is that the government has to feel obliged to respond to such developments but shows no urgency to set things right in the food sector in its own backyard. Both adulteration of commodities of inferior quality with superior ones and chemical treatment of foods have become rampant in this country. Yet, nothing decisive, except for some sporadic anti-adulteration drive by teams headed by magistrates mainly in the capital, has been done to root out the criminal practice. In small towns and villages, no such drive is carried out.
Malpractices with foods have almost become a second nature with traders and businessmen. Without setting this wrong right, issues like the export of produces that fetched the country merely US$182 million cannot prove overriding. But the reality is that such issues have always got the better of the more important public health under threat of chemically poisoned foods. If the irregularities and malpractices in the domestic market could be done away with, export of any such items would have got a clean sheet. The fact that the country now has legal provisions enough to deal with food malpractices is not enough. Its implementation is what really matters. The formation of a food safety authority after the US model made sense but unless it is properly manned and equipped, the law cannot produce desired results. At stake is the health of the present and future generations of this nation. This has to be protected at any cost. If the medical bills on account of the effect of adulterated and contaminated foods are taken into account, strengthening of the body to look after the nation's health will prove far less costly. The nation certainly deserves better.
Ensuring food safety
FE Team | Published: November 13, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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