'Turn safe food movement into social movement'

They also reiterated the need for social awareness across the country to resist food adulteration.

They were speaking at a discussion titled 'Safe Food: Our Duties' organised by Nirapad Khadya Andolon at the National Press Club in the city with a view to turning the safe food movement to a social movement

Presenting a keynote paper on the occasion, Prof Dr ABM Faruk of the Department of Pharmacy, Dhaka University, pointed out leather colour as the latest chemical used in food adulteration that increases the risk of diseases like gastric, lever cirrhosis and leukaemia.

Expressing concern over rampant sale of sodium cyclamate, Prof Faruk said "The chemical is available everywhere under different names including diabetic sugar, despite the commerce ministry had already banned it."

Prof Faruk called for creating awareness among farmers on organic farming, mixed cultivation and use of improved technology.

Speaking on the occasion, AHM Noman, president of Bangladesh Human Rights Coordination Council, said corruption is the root cause of food adulteration.

Noman urged the politicians and mass media to launch a strong countrywide movement to resist food adulteration.

The speakers also called for expanding the operation of mobile court outside Dhaka.

Rokon-Ud-Doula, magistrate of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court, said food adulteration cannot be prevented only by mobile court if social awareness is not created.

Nirapad Khadya Andolon accorded reception to Rokon-Ud-Doula and Senior Reporter of the daily Ittefaq Abul Khayer for their outstanding contribution to the drive against food adulteration.

Syed Marghub Morshed, president of Citizens Rights Movement, Badiul Alam Mojumdar, country director of The Hunger Project and Abul Khayer also spoke on the occasion.