The Bangladesh Food Safety Foundation (BFSF) along with six more organizations convened a seminar on 8 June 2024, at the AKM Giasuddin Milky Auditorium in Dhaka, Bangladesh with Professor Dr Ali Akbar, former Vice-Chancellor, Bangladesh Agricultural University. The seminar focused on “Ensuring Food Safety in a Nation of Resilience: Unexpected Events, Role of Public Agencies and Private Sector for Uninterrupted Supply Chain.” 

Keynote speaker Dr Md. Kamrul Islam, Professor, Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh reiterated that food safety is a shared responsibility and that there are many things we can do to proactively ensure food safety and prevent malnutrition and illness. He highlighted the devastating effects of food shortages and lack of access to food in remote areas during emergencies, citing examples of natural disasters and epidemic outbreaks in Bangladesh.

Three panel discussants supplemented and complemented him and also responded to the participants. They stressed the importance of emergency planning, emergency response, cooperation and coordination among all stakeholders to ensure food safety in times of crisis. For a disaster-prone country, people living in climate prone areas must not be left unattended for access to safe food, water and sanitation.

Highlighting the theme of "Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected" at the World Food Safety Day seminar, the Chief Guest emphasized that food security relies on food safety. He stressed the importance of addressing unexpected events in disaster-prone Bangladesh, particularly for vulnerable populations. He called for robust emergency plans, heightened awareness among all food chain participants (processors, handlers, eateries, etc.), and a review of existing regulations and policies for disaster response.

The seminar was attended by policy makers, food business owners, food regulatory officials, academia, civil society representatives, and consumer representatives. Dr Md. Hamidur Rahman, former Director General, Directorate of Agriculture Extension and Secretary, Bangladesh Food Safety Foundation was in the Chair. 

A World Food Safety Day rally was also held in Dhaka.

Call to Action

The government and food businesses must work together to strengthen disaster resilience. All stakeholders need to develop and implement emergency plans, raise food safety awareness, and ensure existing regulations are adequate for unexpected situations. Bangladesh's food safety future depends on coordinated efforts from all parties involved.

See the Bengali language news coverage here
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World Food Safety Day events this year

Photo © BFSF