Dhaka: A delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), led by its chief ICHIGUCHI Tomohide, met with Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder at his office to discuss crucial aspects of food safety.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting focused on the Food Safety Testing Capacity Development Project, which is financed by JICA. The delegation emphasized the importance of selecting the director and consultants for the project. Discussions also covered the need to increase manpower for the Safe Food Authority and the potential introduction of a comprehensive food trading licensing system, similar to those in Japan and other Asian countries.
The 10-year project, with a budget of Taka 2,409.70 crore, aims to enhance food safety testing capabilities in the Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna divisions. This will be achieved by establishing a food safety referral laboratory in Dhaka, along with two food testing laboratories and a training institute in Chattogram and Khulna.
The food adviser urged relevant authorities to take necessary actions to ensure food safety from production to consumption. He highlighted the need to address challenges in production, processing, storage, supply, marketing, and selling of food items. The adviser expressed gratitude to JICA for their support and hoped for the project’s success in establishing discipline in the country’s food management.
The JICA team expressed appreciation for the formation of the ‘Food Safety Management Taskforce,’ led by the country’s Cabinet Secretary. The meeting was attended by senior officials from JICA, Food Secretary Md Masudul Hassan, and other senior ministry officials.