Food Minister Advocate Quamrul Islam Tuesday said the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has adopted a zero tolerance policy with regard to use of formalin in foods, reports BSS.
"The present government has been working relentlessly under the capable leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's daughter Sheikh Hasina. The Prime Minister has adopted a zero tolerance for use of formalin in foods.
"The government has also adopted a policy to take stern action against use of harmful chemicals including formalin in foodstuff. None will be spared in this regard," he said.
Advocate Quamrul Islam, also joint general secretary of Dhaka City unit of Awami League, said this while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar in the city.
Amar Health. Com, an organisation campaigning for health consciousness, organised the seminar on "Formalin and Food Security" at the VIP Lounge of the National Press Club with its editor Dr Apurba Mallick in the chair.
Director General of the Health Directorate Deen Md Nurul Islam, Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Benazir Ahmed, Director of the Nutrition and Food Science Department of Dhaka University Dr Aleya Mowla and General Secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon Dr Md Abdul Matin were the discussants.
Quamrul Islam said, "The extra-proportionate use of formalin in foodstuff has created panic among the consumers recently. As the government has taken effective and timely steps, the persisting panic among the people has gradually been dying down and it also helped growing public awareness."
The minister said the government's step for formulating an anti- formalin use law would not be enough but the law should be executed properly alongside people's awareness on the harmful use of formalin in foodstuff.
Deen Md Nurul Islam said a widespread awareness has already been created among the people across the country regarding the harmful use of formalin and the anti-adulteration drive of the police force helped a lot in creating awareness.
Benazir Ahmed said the police administration would conduct anti- adulteration drive including use of formalin in foods across the country doubling its strength in the next year.
The DMP commissioner said, "Use of formalin in foods is a criminal offence which tantamount to genocide. It will not be a difficult task to free foods from poisons if people are united."
