Regulation of processed frozen foods needed

There is no dearth of processed food items in the markets for urban middle-class. But are the ingredients and preservatives, if used, in these food items safe for consumption? The hygienic standards maintained during the production of these food items are dubious. According to a report of this newspaper on Monday, both Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and Bangladesh Food Safety Authority say it is not within their jurisdiction to certify the standard of processed frozen food items. As such, consumers have to solely rely on the assurance given by the frozen food producers, who declare to have their own mechanism to ensure quality.

The demand for frozen foods has increased in Bangladesh gradually with the change in lifestyle, rapid urbanisation and an expanding middle class. Now about 45 types of processed frozen food items are being sold by a number of companies – all claiming different quality standards. But the authorities concerned are yet to set up any regulatory body to oversee these consumer food items.

It is worrying to note that when the people in western world are turning to organic food items people in our country are turning to processed frozen foods. This is not a healthy sign. Not only adults, even children are getting accustomed to processed foods. There was a time when fresh food items would come from families of people living in villages. Nowadays these food items hardly come.  Food processing removes some of the nutrients, vitamins and fibre present in the food. Processed foods are obtained from laboratories and not nature. The foods are genetically modified and may cause gastrointestinal disorders, infertility and can damage organs. The trans fats and sugar present in processed items can cause inflammation, an unhealthy condition that leads to asthma. Lack of fibre in the food items is responsible for sluggish bowels, constipation, in worst cases it can also lead to colon cancer. Excess saturated fat leads to obesity, cardiac disease and a host of other disorders.

 Production and sale of processed frozen foods need proper monitoring on all the processes from preparation to storage at the retail level. If the frozen food market is not monitored, it may create serious public health issue.

 

Regulation of processed frozen foods needed

There is no dearth of processed food items in the markets for urban middle-class. But are the ingredients and preservatives, if used, in these food items safe for consumption? The hygienic standards maintained during the production of these food items are dubious. According to a report of this newspaper on Monday, both Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and Bangladesh Food Safety Authority say it is not within their jurisdiction to certify the standard of processed frozen food items. As such, consumers have to solely rely on the assurance given by the frozen food producers, who declare to have their own mechanism to ensure quality. The demand for frozen foods has increased in Bangladesh gradually with the change in lifestyle, rapid urbanisation and an expanding middle class. Now about 45 types of processed frozen food items are being sold by a number of companies all claiming different quality standards. But the authorities concerned are yet to set up any regulatory body to oversee these consumer food items. It is worrying to note that when the people in western world are turning to organic food items people in our country are turning to processed frozen foods. This is not a healthy sign. Not only adults, even children are getting accustomed to processed foods. There was a time when fresh food items would come from families of people living in villages. Nowadays these food items hardly come. Food processing removes some of the nutrients, vitamins and fibre present in the food. Processed foods are obtained from laboratories and not nature. The foods are genetically modified and may cause gastrointestinal disorders, infertility and can damage organs. The trans fats and sugar present in processed items can cause inflammation, an unhealthy condition that leads to asthma. Lack of fibre in the food items is responsible for sluggish bowels, constipation, in worst cases it can also lead to colon cancer. Excess saturated fat leads to obesity, cardiac disease and a host of other disorders. Production and sale of processed frozen foods need proper monitoring on all the processes from preparation to storage at the retail level. If the frozen food market is not monitored, it may create serious public health issue.