‘Profit should not take precedence over safe food’

 
Kamruzzaman Ratan, Member of Parliament for Munshiganj-3, has called on food producers to prioritise public health and social responsibility rather than focusing solely on profit. He said those involved in food production and marketing should realise that their own family members also consume the same food products. Such awareness, he noted, would help ensure the production of safe food and facilitate the implementation of Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL). He also said he would raise the issue in Parliament.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a seminar titled “The Importance of Front-of-Pack Labelling for Protecting Public Health”, organised by Dhaka Ahsania Mission at its Dhanmondi office in Dhaka on Sunday (7 June), marking World Food Safety Day 2026.

The seminar was chaired by Professor Dr. Golam Rahman, President of Dhaka Ahsania Mission. He emphasized that the implementation of Front-of-Pack Labelling is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring a healthy and safe future for coming generations.

The keynote paper was presented by Iqbal Masud, Director of the Health Sector at Dhaka Ahsania Mission. He stated that food is not merely a means of survival; it is a key determinant of good health, economic stability, and sustainable development. 

Currently, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and hypertension, account for nearly 71 percent of all deaths in Bangladesh. Changing lifestyles and the increasing consumption of ultra-processed and packaged foods are further intensifying this crisis. To address the situation, he called for the swift finalization and implementation of regulations requiring easy-to-understand warning labels on the front of packages of ultra-processed and packaged food products.

Special guests at the seminar included Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Country Lead for Bangladesh at Global Health Advocacy Incubator, and Professor Mohammad Shoaeb, Member (Food Industry and Production) of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority.