Chandpur: Thirteen-month-old Ayaz’s curiosity leads him to put anything he finds into his mouth, oblivious to the potential harm. His parents, Ahsan Habib and Shanta Islam, from Ghashipur village in Chandpur Sadar Upazila, are vigilant about his diet, striving to provide him with nutritious, healthy, and safe food.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the importance of mothers in ensuring safe food for their children cannot be overstated. Parents, regardless of their economic status, are united in their pursuit to keep their children healthy. However, the reality of food safety in the country raises concerns, as adulterated food often poses significant health risks.
Dr. Zahurul Haque Sagar, a pediatrician in Dhaka, emphasizes that milk, a primary food for children, is often adulterated with substances like urea and liquid detergent, turning it into a severe threat. Regular consumption of such mixtures can have devastating effects on children’s health, leading to severe conditions like anemia and brain damage.
Adulteration extends beyond milk to commonly consumed items such as fried snacks and sweets, which are often colored with harmful industrial dyes. Spices are mixed with various contaminants, compromising their safety. Mothers, aware of these dangers, often resort to preparing homemade food, yet even basic ingredients like flour and gram flour are not free from adulteration.
The issue of adulteration impacts even sick children, as shown by the tragic incident in July 2009, when 25 children died from adulterated fever syrup. The global impact is alarming, with approximately 1.8 million children dying annually due to adulterated food.
Dr. Sagar urges parents, particularly mothers, to actively combat food adulteration by understanding related laws and reporting offenders. The Bangladesh Pure Food Ordinance, 1959, prohibits harmful additives in food, emphasizing the need for collective action to protect the future generation.
In conclusion, mothers play a pivotal role in safeguarding their children’s health against the pervasive threat of food adulteration. Society must unite to form strong consumer groups, encouraging parents to reject harmful foods and safeguard the well-being of their children.