Proper policy a must to ensure poison-free food

"Unless we ensure poison-free food for our children, the next generation might be physically abnormal and very likely to suffer from intellectual backwardness", said paediatrics specialist Dr Lenin Chowdhury.

The roundtable titled "Poisonous Vegetables: Our Health Problem" organised by Nirapad Khadya Andolon, a civil society initiative to ensure safe food, was held at the National Press Club in the city.

Executive Member of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) Dr Md Abdul Hye Majumdar in his keynote paper focused on the disastrous effects of using chemical fertilisers and pesticides on the environment as well as on human body.

"In most cases vegetables and foods are sold and consumed long before the period of intoxicating effects of pesticides that is usually seven to ten days is over and this multiplies health hazards of common people", said Dr Majumdar.

He said using chemicals of organo-phosphate group like methyl parathion and ethyl parathion for rat control is very dangerous to environment. These chemicals are components of nerve gas and mastered gas, he added.

Pointing to the reasons of excessive use of chemicals and fertilisers, Dr Majumdar said due to catchy advertisements of multinational companies, farmers began cultivating high yielding varieties of crops that demand huge fertilisers and pesticides.

Dr Lenin expressed concern saying that apart from having effects on the next generation, people are being increasingly affected by heart, kidney, brain and blood related diseases in these days due to consumption of intoxicated vegetables and food items.

Quoting a study in the USA, Executive Director of Ubinig Farida Akhter said young children who are exposed to the chemicals used as pesticides cannot remember lessons properly.

Dr Ferdous Ahmed Koreshi presided over the discussion while former President of Bangladesh Economic Association Manowar Hossain, former MP Kamrunnahar Jafar, President of Bangladesh Manobadhikar Bastobayon Parishad AMM Noman, journalist Ershadul Majumdar, President of Bangladesh Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association Khondkar Ruhul Amin also spoke on the occasion.