Children more affected by food poisoning: State Minister

State Minister for Food and Public Administration Md Abdul Bari has said children are being more affected by food poisoning due to a lack of food safety. Excessive use of pesticides on vegetables and fruits is the main cause, he added.

He was speaking at the inception seminar and grant cheque distribution ceremony of the fellowship programme for the 2025-26 fiscal year under the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority at the BFSA office on Kazi Nazrul Islam Road in the capital on Saturday.

Where one kilogram of pesticide is needed, three kilograms are being used, the state minister said. Despite opportunities to export food products to the global market, Bangladesh cannot enter those markets due to a lack of food safety. The country must produce, supply and market safe food to overcome this situation.

The BFSA launched the 'Fellowship Programme-2026' under the BFSA Fellowship Policy-2024 to open new doors of research in the safe food sector, Abdul Bari said.

A huge amount of money is being spent on treatment due to foodborne illnesses, the state minister said. "Adulteration in food is a global problem, but in our country it is an even bigger problem. Twenty years ago, there was not so much cancer, now cancer is increasing."

Children are more affected by food poisoning, he said, adding that a huge amount of money is being spent on treatment. If excessive chemical fertilisers and pesticides are reduced and organic fertilisers are applied, this situation could be avoided. The government is therefore emphasising increasing the use of organic fertilisers.

"There are opportunities to export food products and processed foods to various countries. However, due to a lack of food purity, we cannot export. Safe food must be produced according to the demands of those countries, as they follow very strict rules for exports," he said.

The state minister urged increasing operations at division and district levels, saying drives must be conducted in markets every month. "Three kilograms of pesticide are being used where one kilogram is needed. Such pesticides are applied to mangoes to extend the ripening period. Pabda fish and cucumbers are also regularly sprayed."

Referring to the need for strict enforcement of laws, he said society has become sick due to 17 years of mismanagement and corruption. "We must come out of this. Laws must be enforced strictly."

He assured ensuring promotions and other benefits for those working at the institution, adding that new manpower will be recruited and promotions and other benefits will be increased.

There are two types of accountability in work—one is conscience, the other is law, the state minister said. No institution can progress without the honesty and efficiency of its officers.

Agricultural land is decreasing by 1 per cent each year, he said, adding that villages are therefore being developed to increase agricultural production.

Food Secretary Abu Taher Md Masud Rana, speaking as a special guest, said food adulteration is now acting as a silent killer. There is no way to protect the nation except by ensuring food safety. He said the shortage of research funding will be addressed.

BFSA Chairman (Additional Charge) Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar presided over the seminar.

Under the General Fellowship-1 (MS/Equivalent) category, 20 fellows have been selected from 323 applications this year. Fourteen research areas have been identified under the fellowship policy, including food microbiology, food chemistry, food toxicology, food preservation and processing, food contamination control, risk management, emerging technologies and waste management.

Each fellow will receive Tk 7,000 per month for one year, totalling Tk 84,000. Additionally, Tk 30,000 as supervisor honorarium and Tk 50,000 for research expenses will be provided, totalling Tk 1,64,000 per fellow.

The BFSA plans to increase the number of fellows in the future and expand the programme to MPhil and PhD levels.