Need for well-planned drives against formalin-or carbide-treated food items

The ongoing crackdown on use of formalin in fruits is a welcome move, in view of the growing menace of the use of dangerously harmful toxic substances in food items and a serious threat to human health in its wake, in the country.
Meanwhile, the normal supply chain of seasonal 'fruits' has been disrupted and their prices in the markets are thus rising sharply. The supply of mango, litchi, jackfruit etc., has decreased by almost 80 per cent, amid the drives conducted at different entry points of the city.
The point about how far such 'fruits' are safe for health because of the uses of formalin, carbide and other dangerous chemicals at the stage of production or in the course of their movement from the producers'-end to retail or wholesale outlets, must not be missed here. That makes it pertinent to consider whether the disruption in the supply-chain of such 'dangerous' fruits (and also some vegetables), as a sequel to the crackdown by the enforcing authorities, should carry any weight at all. Many consider it wiser not to buy such poisonous fruits and vegetables.
With such drives beginning early this month, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) set eight check-posts in different areas of the city to stop entering of formalin-treated or carbide-mixed fruits to the capital. Some five mobile courts are also reportedly conducting drives in fruit shops across the city.
The people in general have appreciated such drives, seeing that the toxic chemical-treated fruits and various other kitchen market commodities, including vegetables and fish, are posing a serious threat to public health. But now many people are saying that the drive against toxic preservatives has started in an ad-hoc manner without proper planning or result-oriented approach. If that is the case, then the drive runs the risk of not only being wasteful or losing purpose; it may even become counter-productive, according to some concerned quarters.
The fruit sellers have, as usual, their own version about the drive. They have alleged that the retailers have become victims of the drives though they 'never' apply formalin or any other detrimental chemical on fruits. According to them, formalin is being used by the fruit wholesalers in or outside Dhaka, though the stark realities of the situation are that the uses of dangerous chemicals have spread even to the growers' levels, particularly the large ones. Meanwhile, the retailers are planning to stop selling all kinds of fruits, including the imported ones from June 20, in protest against the drive that has reportedly forced them to incur losses.
The retailers' claim is that although they are not a party to uses of toxic chemicals in fruits, the magistrates, policemen and mobile courts are harassing them for no fault of theirs. Why should they be punished for the crime they did not commit? They raised this question, noting that as they are not trained, how they would know whether the fruits they are carrying, are formalin-soaked or not.
In city markets, the prices of mangoes -- whether chemically-treated or not -- have increased by Tk 30-40 a kilogram and those of litchi (likewise) by Tk 50-100 a bundle (100 pieces) over the week. The langra variety of mango is now selling at Tk 110-120 a kg and the himsagar variety at Tk 100 a kg, which were sold at Tk 90 and Tk 80 respectively last week. The price of litchi also rose to Tk 350-400 per hundred from Tk 250-300.
The ongoing drives have created unease to a great extent among the fruit growers and traders. According to a report, a BSTI (Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution) official agreed that the retailers might not use formalin or other chemicals, but he said the vendors really sell formalin-treated fruits. Only through conducting extensive drives, the government can ensure formalin-free sale of fruits in the city. He, however, made a passionate call to the department of agricultural extension to train farmers about alternative ways to preserve fruits and other perishable vegetables or fishes.
On its part, the government has decided to strengthen the ongoing drives against food adulteration across the country. The media, both print and electronic, have also been highlighting how the use of dangerous toxic substances like formalin, carbide etc., in food products has been taking place at an alarming pace in the country.
The high government officials at a recent meeting stressed the need for conducting drives at sources of the hazardous and toxic substances, so that the misuse of these poisonous materials in food items could be effectively stopped. Decision has also been reportedly taken to enhance vigilance at entry points and sources of the food items, side by side with various shopping malls, grocery shops and kitchen markets. The importers will have to inform the local administration and departments concerned about their consignments. The local market committees will be engaged with the process, so that the drives against food adulteration can be carried out effectively.
Toxic substances in fruits and vegetables are just like a two-edged sword.  In order to avoid those, the conscious people are eating less and less fruits, resulting in under-nutrition. On the other hand, eating food, tainted by toxic substances, results in suffering from different kinds of diseases. This, in turn, causes health problems and drainage of hefty amounts of money in terms of treatment costs. There is no denying that adulteration of food is taking a heavy toll on the lives of the general people. The number of cancer patients in the country is increasing by leaps and bounds as a result of unabated food adulteration.
In recent years, food contamination has been going on unabated in the country due to some unscrupulous traders' ill intentions and also because of the government's negligence to check the trend, well in time.  Many sellers spray their fish with formalin, which is usually used for preservation of tissues. It makes the fishes stiff and gives these a fresh look for longer periods of time.
Banning the import of formalin by the government, according to some experts, might not help stop fish contamination, at least in the short term, because the importers might have already stored formalin stocks for the next few years. The government, as they suggest, should destroy all the stored formalin from the hoarders rather than imposing a ban on selling this chemical commercially. Otherwise, this will only affect the industries which depend on this preservative chemical.
According to chemical traders, however, formalin is essential for different industrial works such as colouring garment items and preservation of gum, poultry farms, hardboard, plywood factories and so on. The government needs to take steps to raise awareness among the fish traders about not using formalin on fish and fruits.
While one agrees with those who have called for a formalin-related policy on the part of the government, it is also imperative that handling the formalin issue must begin at the root. Ad-hoc measures can not simply deal with such a pervasive and deep-rooted problem as that of food adulteration.
What is needed at this stage is the formation of an expert committee to oversee the drives in a well-planned, coordinated and result-oriented manner. At the same time, such a committee will also require to recommend well-thought-out measures to contain the menace, effectively and efficiently.  
    szkhan@dhaka.net