Mirpur’s Shah Ali Bazaar was yesterday declared free from formalin and carbide, as part of a drive by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry to fight food adulterers.
Shah Ali Bazaar becomes the eighth kitchen market after Malibagh, Shantinagar, Mohakhali, Gulshan DCC-North, Mohamm-adpur’s Town Hall, Kaptan Bazar and the superstore Swapno, to be declared free from the preservative damaging to long-term human health.
The announcement came at a programme organised by the FBCCI, where Commerce Minister GM Quader handed over a formalin detector to the market committee.
“In case of any doubt, buyers themselves can carry out the test in the market,” Quader said.
Kazi Alauddin, president of Mirpur Traders’ Cooperative Association, said: “From now, no fish, fruit and vegetable can be sold in the market without conducting a formalin detection test.”
The country’s apex trade body has trained three persons to use the formalin detector donated by Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd.
The FBCCI wants to make the capital’s 30 big kitchen markets free from formalin in the next couple of months.
The effort comes at a time when food adulteration has become rampant and consumer concerns about their adverse effects have peaked.
Unscrupulous traders spray fish, fruits and vegetables with formalin and other chemicals to keep them fresh.
Formalin is commonly used for its anti-bacterial properties to maintain a sterile condition in laboratories and preserve rawhide in leather industry and tissues for post-mortem examinations. “If we find any alternative to formalin for running these industries, we will ban its import completely,” Quader said.
A fresh law is on the cards to curb the misuse of formalin, and stern actions would be taken against users of the health hazardous substance, he said.
The amount of imported formalin has come down to 205 tonnes last fiscal year from the 550 tonnes registered for fiscal 2009-10, due to the initiatives taken by his ministry, said Quader.
Speaking on the occasion, FBCCI Vice-President Md Helal Uddin stressed the need for creating awareness to fight food adulterators.
Though the government has tightened the rules for importing formalin, it is still openly trading at the city’s markets, he added.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, chief executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, said it was necessary to watch the market for some time before calling it formalin-free.
“Traders should monitor a kitchen market for a month before making the announcement as it will ensure sustainability of the project,” she added.
-With The Daily Star input
