The recent campaign against adulterated food has been catching key stokes in the media as well as public gossips. Perfectly timed during the holy month of Ramadan, this raid has brought to light some dismayed scenario of the state of food and food products we are consuming. The matter particularly steamed up shock and surprise when the raids unearthed horrifying state of cooking, storage, quality of ingredients used as well as deplorable condition of health and hygiene.
The raids stipulated wide range of punitive measures against those found guilty by clamping significant amount of monetary penalties. In some cases, the concerned persons or owners have been sent to prison while the defaulting establishments have been even shut down.
This is a campaign which is much supported by the general public. What a surprise and shame it was to find some well known restaurants or food outlets being listed culprits. Many of these have long been enjoying public trust of high degree. They are often dubbed as "elite" and that they are normally considered expensive. As the common people have been paying extra premium, it was a general expectation that their products would be better and safer. However, it is now a different story.
Trust is a key element in business. It might take years to build trust among the customers or consumers.
Nevertheless, this trust is now shaken with the raids.
It is in fact not the first time such a campaign has taken place. Many times earlier, such campaigns had taken place. However, it seems that nothing has changed or improved in assuring the consumers of safe food products. Innocent consumers have to fall prey to the misdeeds of those unscrupulous business people.
It is now clear that almost all food product manufacturers, their supply chain and their outlets are non-compliant with the health and hygiene standards. People here are extremely vulnerable to different health hazards arising out of badly produced food items and adulterated food. No wonder, Bangladesh has a high rate of gastrological diseases which is very much related to quality of food consumed.
With the raids done in many high profile restaurants or outlets and stores, people are once again thrown into acute dilemma as to where would find safer food. Many of them have been loyal to the famed shops or outlets. That loyalty has now begun to erode.
The concerned authorities must continue the campaign not only occasionally but regularly. They must hand down more severe punitive measures against those found guilty. Consumers need to be assured of the value for their money and trust. If there is lethargy in continuing such campaigns, the unscrupulous manufacturers and traders would roll on their practices of deceiving the innocent consumers. They are on their own mission of profiteering, no matter at what cost.
mohicsr@gmail.com