Rights campaigners called upon the government on Friday to take necessary steps to ensure food safety at all levels- from production to consumption- during the holy month of Ramadan.
They also presented a 10-point recommendation, including strict enforcement of the laws, strong monitoring and creating mass awareness against the use of hazardous chemicals in food items.
They put forth the demands from a human chain programme, held in the city's Shahbagh area.
Poribesh Bachao Andolon (Poba) in association with seven other civic rights platforms organised the event.
Representatives from the rights organisations, including Pallima Green chairman Lutfor Rahman and POBA coordinator Atiq Morshed, spoke on the occasion, a statement said.
Violation of the food safety regulations is a common scenario in the country, which intensifies further during the holy month of fasting, the discussants observed.
A section of traders tending to make a hefty profit have already started production, import and storing of the foodstuffs mostly used in preparing Iftar items, not maintaining the hygiene, they alleged.
Many eateries prepare foods using hazardous chemicals, which creates severe health problems for the consumers.
The rights platforms called for effective measures to ensure food safety at every stage of production.
The government agencies should coordinate each other's efforts to strengthen monitoring and law enforcement, the speakers viewed.
They stressed proper enforcement of the laws, including Formalin Control Act, Food Safety Act and Consumers' Rights Protection Act to thwart food adulteration.
