Keep children away from toxic food

Food safety is a fundamental human right, yet millions of children in Bangladesh are unknowingly exposed to adulterated and contaminated food products every day. This silent crisis is not only a public health emergency-it is a direct threat to our nation's future.

Children's physical and mental development depends heavily on access to safe and nutritious food. Alarmingly, many commercially available products marketed for children are laced with toxic substances, harmful chemicals, and artificial dyes. These contaminants can cause a range of serious health issues, from foodborne illnesses and cancer to kidney damage, neurological disorders, and developmental impairments.

According to the World Health Organization's 2023 report, around 600 million people globally fall ill from foodborne diseases each year, resulting in 420,000 deaths-a significant proportion among children being under five. In Bangladesh, this danger is compounded by the widespread availability of substandard and unsafe food.

It is, therefore, imperative that the government take immediate action. Enforcing strict, zero-tolerance policies on food adulteration; empowering food courts and mobile courts with greater authority; equipping consumer rights bodies with advanced laboratories and skilled personnel and tightening licensing and quality controls for food manufacturers. These steps must be prioritized.

Md. Shamim Mia, Gaibandha

shamim.writer2025@gmail.com