Food scientists have emphasised the importance of setting up an international standard ‘Food Safety and Quality Training Centre’ in the country with a view to increase the supply of safe food.

They were speaking at a workshop on ‘Bangladesh Food Laboratories Conclave’ jointly organised by the Bangladesh Accreditation Board (BAB), Bangladesh Safe Food Authority (BSFA) and the UN’s FAO at the city’s Biddyut Bhaban yesterday.
Among others, Food Minister Advocate Qamrul Islam, Chairman of BSFA Mustak Hasan Mohammad Iftekhar, Director General of BAB Mohammad Abu Abdullah, Country Director of FAO in Bangladesh Mike Robson and food scientists of BCSIR and BSTI also spoke at the workshop. FAO’s Special Technical Consultant Professor Alan Reilly focused on various recommendations during the workshop. Scientists explained that establishment of the Food Safety and Quality Training Centre would enable entrepreneurs in the food industry, scientists, researchers, technologists and laboratory technicians in obtaining ground facts on safe food related laws, policies, rules, technologies and infrastructure.
They also underscored modernization and upgrading of the exiting ‘Food Testing Laboratories’ to international standard.
“The food safety network must be strengthened with a view to increase the supply of safe food in the country,” the food scientists observed. Advocate Qamrul Islam stated, “The government has taken various initiatives to ensure supply of safe food, including strengthening food security among people, as a constitutional responsibility.”