Reflections from Food Safety Influencers in Bangladesh

Left to Right: Md. Azharul Islam, Deputy Director (Senior Assistant Secretary), DNCRP, Md. Abdur Rahman, President, CAB, Rangpur, and Anowara Ferdousi Poly, President, RWCCI.

On February 25-26, 2024, the northwestern district of Rangpur was the ground zero for the series of sensitization workshops on national food safety policies. Organized by the government's leading food safety body, the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), in close collaboration with the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP), such a collaboration marks a shift toward a new horizon in the inter-agency coordination to strengthening food safety. The workshop brought together diverse stakeholders--including government, private sector, development, and civil representatives--to learn about food safety laws, acts, and regulations.

Having played an integral supporting role in the planning and execution, the USAID Feed the Future Bangladesh Policy LINK Agricultural Policy Activity (Policy Activity) was highly interested to speak to participants about their experiences and takeaways. The President of the Rangpur Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RWCCI), the District President of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), and a Deputy Director of the DNCRP all shared their thoughts, which are excerpted below.   

What excited you about attending the workshop?

Anowara Ferdousi Poly, President, RWCCI: There is no end to one’s learning, and I always jump at the opportunity to gain new knowledge, especially if it helps me do my job better not just as the President of RWCCI but also as an entrepreneur. Apart from learning about the general rules and guidance regarding food safety practices, I wanted to seize the opportunity to interact with government officials to gain clarity around the process of securing trade licenses and registering with specific agencies.

Md. Abdur Rahman, President, CAB, Rangpur: My first reaction upon receiving the invite was that of sheer excitement. Over my several years of attending and convening such gatherings, never have I been “sensitized” on food safety policies, much less by officials of three distinct government authorities.

What food safety challenges do you and your organization often grapple with?

Md. Azharul Islam, Deputy Director (Senior Assistant Secretary), DNCRP: As the department tasked with supplementing the BFSA’s efforts to enforce food safety laws in the market, my colleagues and I looked forward to this joint initiative. In the past, we consistently struggled to align our activities and plans with BFSA, which hampered our effectiveness. As such, these sensitization workshops are a welcome first step toward strengthening interagency coordination.

Anowara Ferdousi Poly, President, RWCCI: One of the foremost challenges that our members encounter is operating within government-advised safety and hygiene standards. From production to sales, maintaining stringent quality control measures is imperative to safeguard the reputation of our businesses as being trustworthy. Small-scale food entrepreneurs often lack access to adequate resources and knowledge to implement best practices in food safety.

Md. Abdur Rahman, President, CAB, Rangpur: We constantly carry out campaigns against the threats adulterated foods pose to consumer safety. These malpractices not only deceive consumers but also endanger their health through the consumption of harmful substances. Consumers often struggle to make informed choices due to misleading or inaccurate labeling of food products.

What were some interesting things you learned and how will it help your work?

Anowara Ferdousi Poly, President, RWCCI: A major learning for entrepreneurs and business owners like us was the importance of understanding the government registration process. It is not just about cooking or selling food; we need to know how to properly register our businesses, follow regulations, and get the necessary permits. So, moving forward, I'll be focusing more on helping our members navigate this registration maze, making sure they start on the right foot and avoid any unnecessary pitfalls down the road.

Md. Abdur Rahman, President, CAB, Rangpur: Learning about the Food Safety Act and its provisions has enriched my understanding and empowers us to support not only food traders to comply with legal requirements but also consumers to assert their right to safe food. Additionally, delving into the Bangladesh Pure Food Ordinance Act and its subsequent revisions highlighted the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding food safety in our country. Leveraging these policy guidelines to design our operations will certainly elevate the quality of service for the community.

If you hosted a food safety-themed program, how would you design it?

Anowara Ferdousi Poly, President, RWCCI: I would prioritize simplicity and practicality, aiming to make the complex terms used in government documents easy to understand for everyone. Additionally, I would develop sessions that debunk common myths and encourage the sharing of real-life examples to facilitate discussions among participants from different fields.

If you could create a catchy slogan for a food safety initiative, what would it be?

Anowara Ferdousi Poly, President, RWCCI: If I were to organize a grassroots awareness campaign for the members of RWCCI, a strong slogan for it would be “From Farm to Fork, Safety First!” This aptly captures the essence of ensuring food safety throughout the entire supply chain and emphasizes the importance of rigorous standards and practices in safeguarding the health and well-being of consumers.

Buoyed by the successful outcomes in Rangpur, BFSA, BSTI, and DNCRP, with support from the Policy Activity, are gearing up to host similar workshops in the remaining six divisions of Bangladesh in the coming days. These workshops demonstrate the Government of Bangladesh’s commitment to promoting food safety and regulatory compliance at both the local and national levels, creating a ripple effect that resonates throughout the nation's agriculture and food system.