Safe food will be the key branding for the country's food processing industries in the near future as awareness about safe food has been increasing day by day among the consumers alongside their income, say speakers.
They made the observation on Wednesday at the launching of the four-day 'International Food and Agro Expo-2018', aiming to boost the country's agro trades and exports through ensuring safe products.
CEMS Bangladesh has organised the event for the third consecutive year with the theme 'Safe Food and Clean Environment Through Sustainable Agriculture', at the capital's International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB).
Apart from this, the third editions of another two fairs - 'Agro Chem Expo' and 'Poultry and Livestock Bangladesh Expo' - also kicked off at the same venue yesterday.
Food Minister Qamrul Islam, Chairman of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque and Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) president Abul Kasem Khan were present at the inaugural session of the four-day event, presided over by Group President and Managing Director of CEMS Global USA & Asia Pacific, Meherun N Islam.
In his address, Qamrul Islam said companies will have to follow food safety laws accordingly to make the country's processing industry world-class.
After the enactment of Safe Food Act 2013, the government founded Bangladesh Safe Food Authority in 2015 in coordination with 18 ministries and 480 organisations aiming to ensure safe and hygienic foods for the people, he mentioned.
Under the act, the BSFA will test all the imported foods, including milk power, and many other items to ensure food safety, he asserted, adding a total of 10 laboratories have already been approved for detecting food safety.
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The country is almost self-sufficient in food at present, said the minister, adding: "Now, we have to ensure safety of foods if we want to make a healthy and industrious nation."
BFSA Chairman Mahfuzul Hoque said hygienic and safe food will be the key branding in the coming days following the growing income and consciousness of the people.
He said the people will no longer compromise on quality.
The food safety authority is working through 18 ministries and 480 organisations to ensure clean and safe food for the consumers.
Director General of Rural Development Academy, Bogra, MA Matin, who was also present, said irrational use of chemical fertiliser and pesticides, and monoculture of some specific produces have been silently intoxicating agricultural produces.
He suggested for reintroducing good agriculture practices (GAP) among the farmers to ensure safe foods.
Around 130 exhibitors from Vietnam, China, Indonesia, USA, Russia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh are showcasing packaging material and equipment, food processing equipment, organic agricultural products and equipment, and poultry equipment and technology in the exhibition which will remain open from 10:30am to 8:30pm every day till March 24.
Three seminars will also be held during the three fairs where experts from several countries will present papers on modern farm technology.
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