Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with Bangladesh Animal Agriculture Association (BAAS), organised the FAO Round Table Discussion: 20th World Egg Day 2015, hosted at The Daily Star Centre on Thursday, 08 October 2015.

Mr. Md. Hamidur Rahman, Director General, Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Mr Ajay Kumar Roy, Director General, Department of Livestock Services (DLS), Dr Mohammad Quamrul Islam, Director, Institute of Public Health and Nutrition (IPHN), Mr Mustak Hassan Md Iftekhar, Chairman, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), Prof. Dr. Abdul Malek, Member, BFSA, Prof. Dr. S.D. Chowdhury, Dean, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Prof. Dr. Nazma Shaheen, Director, Institute of Nutrition and Food Science (INFS), University of Dhaka, Dr. Omar Ali Sarker, Deputy Director of Non Communicable Diseases, Directorate General Health Services (DGHS) took part in this discussion to mark World Egg Day 2015.

Mr Mike Robson, FAO Representative in Bangladesh (FAOR) moderated. A key note presentation was given by Mr Md Morshed Alam, President, BAAS. Emphasis was placed on nutritional benefits of eggs. Bangladesh egg consumption per person per year is thought to be in the range 55-70, whereas health/nutrition recommendations are for around 100 per person, per year.

In opening the discussion, Mr Robson, FAOR noted the evident benefits of egg consumption, and stated the challenge as two fold - how to produce more, good quality eggs in Bangladesh, and secondly how to encourage their consumption.

Dr Nazma Shaheen, Director, INFS, University of Dhaka mentioned that an egg contains 139 Kcal energy where as a 45-50 gm boiler chicken egg contains 14.5 gm Protein, 9 gm Fat and 3.2 gm Cholesterol. She said, “egg is a good source of Vitamin-A, and it contributes to the reduction the chances of having anemia disease”. However, she warned that Salmonella and chromium contamination has become an emerging problem in egg production in Bangladesh.

Mr Ajay Kumar Roy, DG, Livestock Services particularly pointed out the deficit in the production of Egg in Bangladesh. Mr Roy, also dismissed common public misconceptions about the percieved relationship between egg and the heart diseases, and highlighted the fundamental importance of quality egg production
In his opinion, Dr Mohammad Quamrul Islam, Director, IPHN stressed on the market nature of the price escalation of consumer goods, with an impact on egg prices, an issue of much public health importance as egg is "one of most affordable as well as most balanced food for low-income demographic".

Prof. Dr. S.D. Chowdhury, Dean, Animal Husbandry, BAU said that the egg consumption in the country per person is not on an upward trend. He called for an awareness raising programme about egg’s benefit at the primary/secondary school level. “School feeding programme will come helpful. At the same time, it is also relevant to streamline the messages communicated by physicians and veterinarian over the issues of egg”, he said.

In his remarks, Mr Mustak Hassan Md Iftekhar, Chairman, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) pointed out the necessity to raise voice about the harmful microorganism (i.e. Salmonella) related to egg consumption. Control over the safety of poultry feed was also a critical area of regulation. He said that only coordinated action and revised regulation can help all the related stakeholders in achieving the positive outcomes required. Dr. Omar Ali Sarker, Deputy Director, Non Communicable Diseases, Directorate General Health Services puts emphasis on building a more productive nation through promoting egg as a major diet for pregnant mothers and children to help their brain development.

Mr. Md. Hamidur Rahman, Director General, Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) thanked Mr Robson, FAOR for holding this interesting debate. He said “We, as a country, are far behind the nation’s demand of egg. Production programmes such as NATP need to focus on productivity in this important sector. “Only effective collaboration among the line departments and trialing/scoping more opportunities will come helpful in addressing the egg issues in the country. Market linkage must have diverse outcome”, said DG.

Closing the debate, Mr Robson, FAOR and the moderator of the session thanked participants for bringing their different perspectives to bear at the round table, and committed FAO to continue its work in this area, in promoting improved productivity and consumption of eggs.

Media Link

The Daily Star: http://www.thedailystar.net/city/egg-consumption-not-related-heart-diseases-154276

Ekushey TV: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0s08euoy5xwbeaa/ETV-08.10.2015.WMV?dl=0&oref=e