Dhaka:Bangladesh has requested technical support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to establish food-testing laboratories across all 64 districts. This initiative is part of the government's efforts to enhance food safety and combat food adulteration.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the request was made by Prime Minister's Adviser on Public Administration Ismail Zabihullah during a meeting with a six-member JICA delegation at his office. The delegation, led by Takahashi Junko, JICA's Bangladesh office chief representative, focused on public health protection, ensuring safe food, preventing adulteration, and enhancing technical capacity-building.
Zabihullah emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring safe food nationwide, in alignment with the BNP's election manifesto, by strengthening agencies such as the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution. Efforts include recruiting more personnel, intensifying field-level monitoring, and enforcing food safety laws.
The adviser also highlighted the importance of complying with international food safety standards to improve the global competitiveness of Bangladesh's food products. Takahashi Junko suggested streamlining existing food safety laws and creating a unified licensing system for all food businesses.
Takahashi Junko mentioned that JICA is establishing three international-standard laboratories in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna to bolster the country's food safety infrastructure. An effective system requires specialized technical expertise and a comprehensive mechanism for sample collection and inspection.
Furthermore, Takahashi Junko recommended increasing the number of food safety inspectors at the district level to conduct science- and risk-based monitoring, provide technical guidance, and facilitate regular sample testing. She also expressed JICA's interest in providing technical training for food safety inspectors.