Restaurant owners pledged on Monday to provide safe food to customers, as the government has taken an initiative to declare selected eateries 'safe food zone'.
Extending their support to the government's efforts to ensure safe food for all, they also promised not to sell adulterated food.
They made the commitment at the launching ceremony of a survey on food safety and hygiene standards at hotels and restaurants. Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) organised the event at Hotel Kasturi at Purana Paltan in the capital.
The BFSA, which is under the ministry of food, will carry out the survey at different eateries located at Motijheel, Purana Paltan and Dilkusha areas in the city.
Later, other restaurants and hotels in different areas of the capital will also be surveyed.
The BFSA will identify hotels/restaurants which are not maintaining hygiene standards and give them time to improve the situation.
After a certain period, the BFSA will classify the eateries under red, yellow and blue categories.
The blue category restaurants will be regarded as 'safe food zone' while yellow category restaurants need to be improve hygiene standards and red category restaurants will be closed down by the government.
Food Minister Advocate Md Qamrul Islam inaugurated the survey as the chief guest.
He said the government will ensure safe food for consumers by 2024.
He also stressed the need for raising awareness about the Food Safety Act-2013.
Chairman of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque presided over the event.
He said that they will identify problems regarding food safety at hotels/restaurants and the owners will be given time to improve their food safety standards.
He, however, said if any hotels/restaurants fail to follow the government directives, their business establishments will face closure.
Managing Director of Hotel Kasturi (Pvt) Ltd. Kawsar Ahmed said that they would cooperate with the government in ensuring safe food for consumers.
Acting food secretary Shahabuddin Ahmed, chief executive officer of Dhaka South City Corporation Khan Mohammad Billal, secretary general of Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association M Rezaul Karim Sarkar Robin attended the programme.
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