Food adulteration: a silent killer

FE Team | Published: May 07, 2026 21:59:58

Food adulteration is becoming a very common problem in Bangladesh. Many dishonest sellers mix harmful chemicals in food to make more profit and to give it a fresh look for a longer time. Because of this, people are eating unsafe food almost every day without knowing it.
This problem can be seen in many everyday foods such as fruits, vegetables, milk, fish, and sweets. For example, some sellers use formalin to keep fish and fruits fresh. Others add artificial colours to make sweets and spices look attractive, while some use chemicals in milk to make it appear whiter. These foods may look good at first look, but they are actually very harmful.
Eating this kind of food can cause many health problems. People may suffer from stomach pain, food poisoning and weakness. Long-term consumption may damage the liver and kidneys and also increase the risk of serious diseases. Children and elderly people are especially vulnerable.
To reduce this problem, strict monitoring and law enforcement are necessary. The government should take strong action against dishonest sellers and ensure regular inspections in markets and food factories. There should also be proper punishment for those involved in these illegal activities so that others are discouraged. At the same time, public awareness should be increased through campaigns on media so that people can understand the risks of adulterated food. Consumers should also be more careful while buying food and try to choose safe and trusted sources. If both the authorities and the general public work together with honesty and responsibility, it is possible to reduce this problem and ensure safe food for everyone.
Safe food is a basic right of every citizen. Therefore, both the government and the public must work together to control food adulteration and protect public health.
Faria Hoque Tuly
Student
BBA Department
North South University
faria.tuly@northsouth.edu