The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a roundtable here on Saturday urged the government to take strong measures to stop marketing of milk foods and products contaminated by melamine and other dangerous elements.

In this regard, they called for forming an independent body under the Ministry of Food to continue regular examination and monitoring of such food items being marketed in the country.

The roundtable titled "Melamine in Milk and Adulterated Food: Actions in Current Situation," was organised by the Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (BAPA) with writer and columnist Syed Abul Maksud in the chair.

Professor Abu Zafar Mohammad and Professor Nilufar Nahar Dhaka University, Chairman of PABA Abu Naser Khan and Secretary General of the Citizens Rights Movement Tusar Rehman, among others, addressed the function.

They urged the government for immediately enacting the Consumers Rights Act with provisions of compensations for the consumers who would face health hazards by eating contaminated foods.

In this respect, they emphasised the need for countrywide campaign against the adulterated food items and said the people should also be made aware about the extent of damage to their health to be caused by such food.

Professor Abu Zafar Mohammad called for identifying the foods containing contaminated elements and said the scientists could determine the possible impacts of toxic elements in the human body.

Professor Nilufar Nahar said the government could confirm presence or absence of melamine in any food item through a transparent examination. "World standard machines can certainly confirm the presence or absence of melamine in milk and milk products," she said.

Abu Naser Khan said unscrupulous traders my mixing melamine or other toxic elements in food items were silently killing the innocent consumers. "Presence of toxic elements in food items is increasing cancer risks, putting families in trouble," he said.

Syed Abul Maksud urged all political parties to include this issue in their election campaign and help wage a social movement against contaminated food in the country. "A massive awareness and political commitment could solve the problem," he added.