Speakers at a seminar on Wednesday called for ensuring production and marketing of safe iftar and other food items during the holy month of Ramadan.
They also called upon the government to intensify monitoring so that unscrupulous traders cannot sell adulterated or chemical (colour) mixed iftar items during the month of fasting.
The seminar titled "Safe iftar items in light of safe food during Ramadan" was held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).
Bangladesh Safe Food Network (BFSN) organised the event with Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) president Golam Rahman in the chair.
Prof Shah Monir Hossain, senior national adviser of Food Safety Programme, Food and Agriculture (FAO) of the United Nations, Bangladesh, presented a keynote paper on healthy iftar during Ramadan.
"It is the degree of confidence that food will not cause sickness or harm to the consumers when it is prepared, served and eaten according to its intended use," he said.
Food Minister Md Qamrul Islam said the government is working to ensure safe food for the consumers, adding the country has already achieved food security.
He called upon all to come forward for ensuring safe food for all.
"We want to ensure safety of food from production level to dining table for all," he said.
Food secretary Shahabuddin laid emphasis on building awareness about food among the consumers.
Chairman of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque said they have taken measures to ensure availability of safe food items, especially iftar, during Ramadan.
The discussants also called for taking measures to ensure food safety and quality that are necessary at all stages.
The speakers recommended avoiding deep-fried foods like pakoras, samochas and fried dumplings.
They also suggested not eating junk food or fried food to keep the health condition normal.
They advised consuming chickpeas (plain or with potato in yogurt with different spices), milk-based sweets and puddings, chapattis made without oil.
Shamsunnaher Nahid, principal nutritionist and head of the Nutrition Department of BIRDEM, and Khandaker Ruhul Amin, president of Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association, among others, were present.
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