Building a Modern Food Safety System in Bangladesh
At a national seminar titled “Modern Food Safety System in Bangladesh,” Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder emphasized the importance of skilled human resources and quality testing laboratories in establishing a modern and safe food system. The event, organized by the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), brought together key stakeholders from various sectors to discuss strategies for improving food safety across the country.
Majumder, who served as the chief guest, announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art food safety laboratory in Dhaka, supported by the government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This initiative is expected to significantly enhance the nation’s capacity to monitor and ensure food safety standards.
The seminar featured notable attendees such as Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Shinichi Saida and JICA Bangladesh Chief Representative Tomohide Ichiguchi, along with Food Secretary Mohammad Masudul Hasan, who presided over the session. The keynote paper was delivered by Manjur Morshed Ahmed, director of the Institute of Food Science and Technology under the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR).
Addressing Global Challenges in Food Exports
Majumder highlighted the missed opportunities in global food exports, stating that Bangladesh has immense potential in this area but faces challenges due to insufficient food safety compliance. He stressed that ensuring food safety and quality could open doors to international markets, boosting export earnings in agriculture and food sectors.
Research must serve public interest, according to the Food Secretary, who reiterated the need for a comprehensive approach to food safety. Under the current caretaker government and with a loan agreement from Japan, a national reference laboratory for food safety will be established in Dhaka under the BFSA. Additionally, plans include constructing an office complex and a specialized training center for food officials and industry stakeholders. Division-level food safety labs and office buildings will also be built in Chattogram and Khulna to expand nationwide testing and enforcement activities.
Strengthening Bilateral Collaboration
Ambassador Saida praised the longstanding partnership between Japan and Bangladesh, noting that Japan has supported various sectors including energy, infrastructure, metro rail, and agriculture. He mentioned that food safety is a new frontier in their collaboration and expressed hope that Bangladesh would take effective steps to recruit an adequate number of skilled food inspectors and lab professionals.
He cited Japan’s transition from punitive food inspections to a more guidance-based system, emphasizing that food safety requires a coordinated approach involving multiple ministries, clear division of responsibilities, and an integrated framework to ensure unified licensing systems. The ambassador confirmed the signing of a loan agreement between Japan and Bangladesh to strengthen lab capabilities and noted ongoing technical cooperation in the sector.
A Call for Comprehensive Solutions
In his presidential address, Food Secretary Masudul Hasan stated that partial or short-term solutions are not enough. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive, modern food safety system and highlighted the efforts of BFSA and JICA’s STIRC project in working toward this goal in collaboration with stakeholders.
BFSA Chairman Zakaria expressed gratitude to JICA and the Japanese government for their continued support to the Authority. Keynote speaker Manjur Morshed warned that around 200 types of diseases are caused by unsafe food, affecting an estimated 1.6 million people globally every day. He stressed the importance of a scientific approach in developing a modern food safety management system and highlighted the critical role of food safety in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 2, and 3.
Conclusion
The seminar concluded with discussions on the current state of the food situation in Bangladesh, which remains satisfactory. Representatives from regulatory bodies, various ministries, industry associations, donor agencies, local and international organizations, food industry leaders, journalists, and members of civil society attended the event, underscoring the collective effort required to build a robust and sustainable food safety system in the country.
