Unhygienic food production, adulteration rife at Dumuria

 
DUMURIA, KHULNA, Aug 10: The production and sale of food in unhygienic conditions have become widespread across Dumuria Upazila, with residents alleging inadequate monitoring by the authorities.

Restaurants, hotels and sweet shops in markets and rural areas across the upazila’s 14 unions are reportedly flouting basic hygiene standards. Stale and spoiled food is allegedly being prepared and sold in open, foul-smelling environments, posing serious risks to public health.

There are also allegations that some bakeries, hotels and sweet shops are using harmful colours and chemicals in sweets and repeatedly using old, burnt cooking oil.

A visit to several major markets, including Dumuria, Chuknagar, Shahpur, Raghunathpur, Thukra Ambita, Kharnia, Dhamalia, Atharo Mile, Kathaltala, Chuknagar-Sharafpur and Baniakhali, found widespread hygiene concerns.

Many restaurant kitchens were located beside drains or in open spaces. Food was kept uncovered amid flies and dust, while workers were seen without clean clothing or gloves.

Containers holding chhana and syrup used in making sweets were also found surrounded by flies and mosquitoes.

Local consumers blamed a lack of regular inspections and monitoring for the situation, saying unscrupulous traders were continuing their practices because of weak enforcement.

Dr Kajal Mallik, Dumuria Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, said consuming unhygienic and adulterated food could cause stomach ailments and increase the risk of serious liver and kidney damage.

“The effects can be particularly harmful to children,” she said. “We are taking the issue seriously and regularly advising food businesses to maintain cleanliness.”

Upazila Sanitary Inspector Sukendra Nath said they were trying to monitor markets regularly.

“We have already issued warnings and notices to several hotels and sweet shops to maintain hygienic conditions. Those who continue to violate the rules by preparing food in unhygienic environments will face legal action,” he said.

Dumuria Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sabita Sarker said the administration had a “zero-tolerance” policy towards food adulteration and unhygienic food production.

“We will soon conduct mobile court drives in the public interest and take strict legal and punitive action against responsible hotels and food adulterators,” she said.

Local conscious citizens, however, demanded regular and stronger mobile court drives instead of notices or temporary warnings.

They said sustained enforcement was necessary to protect people from unsafe and unhygienic food.