Adulterated food is a health hazard

This is in reference to the letter titled "Harmful chemicals in food" published in your Editorial page on July 7, 2017. I would like to add a few points on the subject. Consumer food items sold in the market are rarely ever pure, be it milk, fruits, fish, or spices. Water is added to cow's milk to dilute it, carbide is used to prematurely ripen fruits, formalin is used in fish, and harmful chemicals are added to spices. These acts amount to felony. Use of harmful chemicals has a long term effect on the human body. Kidney and liver diseases, loss of hair, skin diseases, and loss of eyesight may develop in the long run due to use of these harmful chemicals.  It is like slow poisoning.

Health is a basic right. The authorities should take stern action against those playing with the health of the nation and punish then exemplarily.

AKM Ehsanul Haque, Dhaka