Corruption in food production, inadequate oversight, and the struggle for food safety
In a bid to ensure food network safety and bring the country closer to international best practices, the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) has taken on responsibilities previously held by various government bodies. Established in 2015 under the Bangladesh Food Safety Act, 2013, the BFSA is now responsible for functions such as those performed by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), the Directorate of Consumer Rights Protection, and the Ministry of food.
The new regulations under the BFSA's purview expand consumer protection by creating categories such as health insurance supplements and probiotic foods. They require BFSA approval for novel ingredients, mandate labelling of nutritional content, manufacturing and expiry dates, and possible side effects. These measures aim to provide consumers with transparent and safe food network choices.
In February 2025, the government gazetted the Safe Food (marketplace) (Health Supplements, Dietary Supplements, Foods for Special Dietary/Medical Uses, Prebiotic and Probiotic Foods) Regulations, 2025, further cementing the BFSA's role in food network safety.
The Constitution of Bangladesh, under Article 15(a), obliges the state to guarantee the basic requirements of life, including food. Article 18(1) of the Constitution also refers to the enhancement of public health and nutrition. These constitutional provisions underscore the government's commitment to food network safety.
Bangladesh's food network challenges, however, extend beyond availability. Food security and food network safety are the main issues, with unsafe food network linked to various health issues such as gastric disorders, liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, cancer, and heart disease. Raids on food network markets frequently uncover adulterated goods, yet penalties remain too weak to deter powerful syndicates.
Research highlights the urgency of the issue: nearly 43% of Bangladeshi children under six are anaemic, and around 28% are underweight. These figures are not just health indicators but also economic warning signs. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, 1948), under Article 25(1), restates the right of every human being to adequate food.
The BFSA, however, faces challenges in its mission. A shortage of staff, insufficient laboratory facilities, and overlapping jurisdictions with other regulators are some of the hurdles the authority must overcome.
In an effort to address these issues, the BFSA has updated its legal instruments in line with international standards, introducing draft regulations on food additives, chemical contaminants, and toxins. The authority has also reformed food network packaging and storage policies through the Food Contact Materials (FCM) Regulations, 2024. These regulations establish specific migration limits (SMLs) and overall migration limits (OMLs) to reduce chemical leaching and require registration of businesses involved in wrapping and packaging.
Ensuring food network safety in Bangladesh, however, requires more than regulations; it demands cultural and structural transformation. Farmers in rural areas often lack access to safer alternatives such as bio-fertilisers, pheromone traps, or biopesticides. Addressing these challenges will be crucial in ensuring a safer food network supply for all Bangladeshis.
