Ramadan, food safety and socio-economic dimensions

Food safety is of paramount importance for all of us. We must not forget that intake of unsafe food can cause serious diseases

Three. Eagerly awaited by Muslims all over the world, this ninth month of the Islamic calendar is associated with pristine values that are synonymous with restraint, patience and commitment. The observance of this annual month of obligatory fasting is regarded as one of Islam’s five pillars. Ramadan is not only the month of spiritual reflection, improvement, increased devotion and worship but also the period when Muslims are expected to practice increased self-discipline and compassion and stay away from greed and bad practices. It is a month where one expects to see justice and compliance with rules, social and legal obligations.
In Bangladesh, a Muslim majority country, Ramadan has a special place. The entire Muslim population, of all ages, look forward not only to its religious connotations but also to its socio-economic denotations. It is this latter expectation that tends to impact on the perfection and expectations that ordinary people associate with this month of fasting.
Unfortunately, as in the past, this month has turned once again into a month where traders are exploiting the different opportunities presented to them because of the unique nature of Ramadan. In their greedy pursuit of profit they have no qualms. They are once again, most of them, resorting to underhand methods where they are exploiting consumer expectation for that extra bit of profit. Values related to principles are being compromised and the ordinary consumer fleeced for whatever can be collected through inordinate pricing and the selling of adulterated produce.
Essential, basic ingredients associated with the preparation of different kinds of items for Iftar have also seen an inordinate rise in price. That includes- sugar, edible oil (required for frying different delicacies), aubergine, onion, garlic, potato, spices, green chili, vegetables, chickpea and green papaya. Cost of these items has climbed through the roof.
Surveys carried out by the print and electronic media in Shahjahanpur, Malibagh, Shantinagar, Karwan Bazar and Shyam Bazar have indicated that the price of aubergine has gone up by nearly 80% over the last few days. Prices of gram, garlic, onion, cucumber, lemon and sugar have also taken a high-jump. There has also been a noticeable rise in the prices of eggs, fish, chicken, mutton and beef- all essential sources of protein. Mutton is now selling at Taka 600 to 650 per kg, and beef at over Taka 460 per kg. The butchers have of course had no hesitation in blaming the rise in the cost of beef to lower supply of cows from across the border. Broiler chicken which was selling at around Taka 135 per kg three weeks ago is now retailing at around Taka 170 per kg. Non-broiler local chicken is retailing at around Taka 280 to Taka 300 per piece. It was selling a few days ago at around Taka 220 to Taka 240. The prices of fish per kg, other than Talapia, Pangash and Koi have climbed over Taka 300. Ruhi and Katla are selling between Taka 320 and Taka 430 per kg. I have not included references to locally grown fruits- mangoes, leechies, bananas, green guavas, dates (partially imported to meet increased demand at this time), green cocoanuts and oranges- as the rise in their prices are on an average more by 30 to 35%.
When asked by the consumer as to why the prices have gone up so sharply, the regular answer is that the retailers should not be blamed if the wholesalers have raised the price. In turn, when the wholesalers are asked, they generally respond that they have been forced to raise the price because of the increase in the cost of transportation of the product from its source to the city. It is alleged that partially, it is also influenced because of increase in tolls which have to be paid by middle-men to ’Parties’ and ‘Groups’ for safe passage. One can only wonder whether the law and order representatives guarding the communication network are functioning as well as they are expected to.
To this dy­namics has also been added another unfortunate aspect- adulteration, the use of preservatives, fabric dyes, chemicals, formalin and carbide. A case in point was the media report on 11 June that a mobile food inspection team had been able to identify some of the factories from where unscrupulous businessmen were producing adulterated sub-standard vermicelli and then flooding the city markets as well as rural Hats and Bazaars with this dangerous product. In some cases it was discovered that the fake factories (keeping the main entrance under lock and key) were producing this vermicelli in unhygienic conditions (kneading the dough used to make the item with their legs) and sometimes drying the vermicelli under the open sky in dirty places where stray dogs, cows, cats and chicken defecate and roam about freely. Sources have subsequently revealed that this unhygienic produce was later packed in colorful packets to draw the attraction of consumers in the rural areas. There have also been reports of importers forming syndicates to adulterate milk powder and then selling that later on to retailers who then pass it on to (particularly in Chittagong) to low quality bakeries, restaurants and hotels.
 Dishonest traders appear to have no compunction in mal-treating seasonal fruits to improve their appearance for the consumer. This is done without any respect for public health and the provisions as set forth in the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009, Food Safety Act, 2013 and the Formalin Control Act, 2015. This is happening partially because there is very little organized monitoring of cheap food producers and food manufacturers in the country.
The Bangladesh Standard Testing Institution (BSTI) has claimed that they have conducted a total of 1,454 mobile courts and surveillance efforts between July, 2015 and May, 2016and realized Taka 4.73 crore as fines. They have apparently also sealed 39 enterprises on charges of adulteration.  One can only conclude that this is encouraging but that they are really only touching the tip of the iceberg. They need to operate additional mobile courts to ensure that there is greater implementation of rules and regulations not only throughout Ramadan but also afterwards. This will require careful record keeping and documentation of inspection already carried out. It will require coordination between the different agencies.
These drives should also not be arbitrary in character and should only be carried out by trained inspectors (able to detect and determine how much of extraneous chemical is present and whether it is harmful for humans) with the help of instruments that function properly (especially while checking for use of formalin). Authorities executing the Mobile Court Act facility also need to ensure that after verifying veracity of available evidence and while executing sentence, necessary powers of defence is provided to the accused- so that there is no violation of rights as outlined in different Sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898..
Food safety is of paramount importance for all of us. We must not forget that intake of unsafe food can cause serious diseases- cancer that can affect the liver, intestinal tract infections and also acute diarrheal infections. The ICDDRB, an international health research organization in Dhaka has revealed that the “number of hospital visits pr day for treatment of diarrhea due to food and water borne causes is very distressful” (Tasmiah Nuhiya Ahmed). Apparently, food borne and waterborne diseases affect more than a million people every year in Bangladesh.
Rigorous implementation of regulations and standards are vital if we are to expand, diversify and increase export of our food items abroad. This has already been exemplified by the fact that fish from Bangladesh is beginning to regain its export status in different markets in the European Union. According to Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Secretary, Ministry of Industries, this has been possible because we have managed to conform to global standards in our areas of production.
We have also noticed how media reported on 9 June that chemical free mango exports to the United Kingdom super-markets had started from different production points in Chapainawabganj. The first shipment consisted of three tons. This success came from mango farmers apparently starting to use the modern fruit bagging technology for different kinds of mangos growing at this time of the year. This enabled them to avoid the use of harmful insecticides- injurious to health. This is a particularly good step given the fact that our mangoes mature ahead of other areas and can therefore get easier access to the European market. One needs to thank the FAO for assisting in this process.
This month of Ramadan can be our source of inspiration towards the process of helping others. In this context, it would be worthwhile to refer to the Consumers Protection Act, 2009 and the paradigm of punishable offences under this Act. There is consensus that this includes- (a) selling or offering for sale at a higher price than the price prescribed by any law or rule, any product, medicine or service; (b) knowingly selling or offering to sell any adulterated product; (c) deceiving people in general through false and untrue advertisement with the idea of selling a product; (d) using any false weight or measure of length and thereby defrauding a customer and (e) giving fewer products than advertised and paid for by the customer. A complaint with regard to any of these charges may be filed by any consumer or organization working for consumer rights with the Directorate General, National Consumer Rights Protection Department.
We need to remember that food safety must be evaluated in terms of additional cost to consumers. It enjoys a sense of shared concern among both developing and developed countries because of the potential of contaminated food leading to outbreak of food-borne illness. The ethos of Ramadan teaches us to work together for common benefit and welfare, irrespective of faith. Let us try to do just that.

Muhammad Zamir, a former ambassador, is an analyst specialised in foreign affairs, right to information and good governance.  He can be reached at [email protected]

Ramadan, food safety and socio-economic dimensions

Food safety is of paramount importance for all of us. We must not forget that intake of unsafe food can cause serious diseases

Three. Eagerly awaited by Muslims all over the world, this ninth month of the Islamic calendar is associated with pristine values that are synonymous with restraint, patience and commitment. The observance of this annual month of obligatory fasting is regarded as one of Islams five pillars. Ramadan is not only the month of spiritual reflection, improvement, increased devotion and worship but also the period when Muslims are expected to practice increased self-discipline and compassion and stay away from greed and bad practices. It is a month where one expects to see justice and compliance with rules, social and legal obligations. In Bangladesh, a Muslim majority country, Ramadan has a special place. The entire Muslim population, of all ages, look forward not only to its religious connotations but also to its socio-economic denotations. It is this latter expectation that tends to impact on the perfection and expectations that ordinary people associate with this month of fasting. Unfortunately, as in the past, this month has turned once again into a month where traders are exploiting the different opportunities presented to them because of the unique nature of Ramadan. In their greedy pursuit of profit they have no qualms. They are once again, most of them, resorting to underhand methods where they are exploiting consumer expectation for that extra bit of profit. Values related to principles are being compromised and the ordinary consumer fleeced for whatever can be collected through inordinate pricing and the selling of adulterated produce. Essential, basic ingredients associated with the preparation of different kinds of items for Iftar have also seen an inordinate rise in price. That includes- sugar, edible oil (required for frying different delicacies), aubergine, onion, garlic, potato, spices, green chili, vegetables, chickpea and green papaya. Cost of these items has climbed through the roof. Surveys carried out by the print and electronic media in Shahjahanpur, Malibagh, Shantinagar, Karwan Bazar and Shyam Bazar have indicated that the price of aubergine has gone up by nearly 80% over the last few days. Prices of gram, garlic, onion, cucumber, lemon and sugar have also taken a high-jump. There has also been a noticeable rise in the prices of eggs, fish, chicken, mutton and beef- all essential sources of protein. Mutton is now selling at Taka 600 to 650 per kg, and beef at over Taka 460 per kg. The butchers have of course had no hesitation in blaming the rise in the cost of beef to lower supply of cows from across the border. Broiler chicken which was selling at around Taka 135 per kg three weeks ago is now retailing at around Taka 170 per kg. Non-broiler local chicken is retailing at around Taka 280 to Taka 300 per piece. It was selling a few days ago at around Taka 220 to Taka 240. The prices of fish per kg, other than Talapia, Pangash and Koi have climbed over Taka 300. Ruhi and Katla are selling between Taka 320 and Taka 430 per kg. I have not included references to locally grown fruits- mangoes, leechies, bananas, green guavas, dates (partially imported to meet increased demand at this time), green cocoanuts and oranges- as the rise in their prices are on an average more by 30 to 35%. When asked by the consumer as to why the prices have gone up so sharply, the regular answer is that the retailers should not be blamed if the wholesalers have raised the price. In turn, when the wholesalers are asked, they generally respond that they have been forced to raise the price because of the increase in the cost of transportation of the product from its source to the city. It is alleged that partially, it is also influenced because of increase in tolls which have to be paid by middle-men to Parties and Groups for safe passage. One can only wonder whether the law and order representatives guarding the communication network are functioning as well as they are expected to. To this dynamics has also been added another unfortunate aspect- adulteration, the use of preservatives, fabric dyes, chemicals, formalin and carbide. A case in point was the media report on 11 June that a mobile food inspection team had been able to identify some of the factories from where unscrupulous businessmen were producing adulterated sub-standard vermicelli and then flooding the city markets as well as rural Hats and Bazaars with this dangerous product. In some cases it was discovered that the fake factories (keeping the main entrance under lock and key) were producing this vermicelli in unhygienic conditions (kneading the dough used to make the item with their legs) and sometimes drying the vermicelli under the open sky in dirty places where stray dogs, cows, cats and chicken defecate and roam about freely. Sources have subsequently revealed that this unhygienic produce was later packed in colorful packets to draw the attraction of consumers in the rural areas. There have also been reports of importers forming syndicates to adulterate milk powder and then selling that later on to retailers who then pass it on to (particularly in Chittagong) to low quality bakeries, restaurants and hotels. Dishonest traders appear to have no compunction in mal-treating seasonal fruits to improve their appearance for the consumer. This is done without any respect for public health and the provisions as set forth in the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009, Food Safety Act, 2013 and the Formalin Control Act, 2015. This is happening partially because there is very little organized monitoring of cheap food producers and food manufacturers in the country. The Bangladesh Standard Testing Institution (BSTI) has claimed that they have conducted a total of 1,454 mobile courts and surveillance efforts between July, 2015 and May, 2016and realized Taka 4.73 crore as fines. They have apparently also sealed 39 enterprises on charges of adulteration. One can only conclude that this is encouraging but that they are really only touching the tip of the iceberg. They need to operate additional mobile courts to ensure that there is greater implementation of rules and regulations not only throughout Ramadan but also afterwards. This will require careful record keeping and documentation of inspection already carried out. It will require coordination between the different agencies. These drives should also not be arbitrary in character and should only be carried out by trained inspectors (able to detect and determine how much of extraneous chemical is present and whether it is harmful for humans) with the help of instruments that function properly (especially while checking for use of formalin). Authorities executing the Mobile Court Act facility also need to ensure that after verifying veracity of available evidence and while executing sentence, necessary powers of defence is provided to the accused- so that there is no violation of rights as outlined in different Sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.. Food safety is of paramount importance for all of us. We must not forget that intake of unsafe food can cause serious diseases- cancer that can affect the liver, intestinal tract infections and also acute diarrheal infections. The ICDDRB, an international health research organization in Dhaka has revealed that the number of hospital visits pr day for treatment of diarrhea due to food and water borne causes is very distressful (Tasmiah Nuhiya Ahmed). Apparently, food borne and waterborne diseases affect more than a million people every year in Bangladesh. Rigorous implementation of regulations and standards are vital if we are to expand, diversify and increase export of our food items abroad. This has already been exemplified by the fact that fish from Bangladesh is beginning to regain its export status in different markets in the European Union. According to Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, Secretary, Ministry of Industries, this has been possible because we have managed to conform to global standards in our areas of production. We have also noticed how media reported on 9 June that chemical free mango exports to the United Kingdom super-markets had started from different production points in Chapainawabganj. The first shipment consisted of three tons. This success came from mango farmers apparently starting to use the modern fruit bagging technology for different kinds of mangos growing at this time of the year. This enabled them to avoid the use of harmful insecticides- injurious to health. This is a particularly good step given the fact that our mangoes mature ahead of other areas and can therefore get easier access to the European market. One needs to thank the FAO for assisting in this process. This month of Ramadan can be our source of inspiration towards the process of helping others. In this context, it would be worthwhile to refer to the Consumers Protection Act, 2009 and the paradigm of punishable offences under this Act. There is consensus that this includes- (a) selling or offering for sale at a higher price than the price prescribed by any law or rule, any product, medicine or service; (b) knowingly selling or offering to sell any adulterated product; (c) deceiving people in general through false and untrue advertisement with the idea of selling a product; (d) using any false weight or measure of length and thereby defrauding a customer and (e) giving fewer products than advertised and paid for by the customer. A complaint with regard to any of these charges may be filed by any consumer or organization working for consumer rights with the Directorate General, National Consumer Rights Protection Department. We need to remember that food safety must be evaluated in terms of additional cost to consumers. It enjoys a sense of shared concern among both developing and developed countries because of the potential of contaminated food leading to outbreak of food-borne illness. The ethos of Ramadan teaches us to work together for common benefit and welfare, irrespective of faith. Let us try to do just that. Muhammad Zamir, a former ambassador, is an analyst specialised in foreign affairs, right to information and good governance. He can be reached at [email protected]