Public Administration Adviser seeks JICA cooperation to strengthen food safety

The Public Administration Adviser said the government is working to increase the capacity of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority and BSTI, recruit manpower, and ensure strict enforcement of the law to prevent the production and marketing of adulterated food products. Besides, he sought JICA's cooperation in setting up laboratories in 64 districts of the country to ensure food quality testing and increase the acceptability of Bangladeshi food products in the international market.

At the meeting, JICA Chief Representative Takahashi Junko recommended introducing an integrated legal framework for food safety and a single licensing system for all traders. In addition, she said JICA is setting up three international-standard laboratories in Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna divisions to strengthen the food safety system. The JICA representative also expressed interest in increasing the number of food safety inspectors at the district level and providing them with technical training.