Food poisoning

Food-borne illnesses affect hundreds of people each year in Bangladesh. Foodstuffs can cause illness if they contain toxin or poison produced by bacteria or viruses growing in food. It results in abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In serious cases of food poisoning, hospitalisation may be necessary.

Poor hygiene standards can cause food contamination and result in food poisoning. We often come across pieces of news that law enforcers are imposing fines on restaurants for keeping food items in unhygienic condition or serving stale and rotten foods. In these drives, popular restaurants are also found to serve food mixed with harmful chemicals, fabric colour, expired food flavour and even rotten food which are very harmful for health and can cause food poisoning. But, these drives to ensure fresh and safe food items are not carried out regularly. Mobile courts and anti-adulteration drives normally continue before the holy month of Ramadan begins. If we want to ensure safe food for all, these drives should be a regular phenomenon. Otherwise, we cannot get rid of the evils of food poisoning.

Badsha Faysal

Jurain, Dhaka

[email protected]