An inception workshop of JICA’s technical cooperation project called “The Project for Strengthening the Inspection, Regulatory and Coordinating Function of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (STIRC) was held in the capital on Thursday.
Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) organised the inception workshop of the projects contributing to food safety of Bangladesh at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) Convention Center in the capital, said a press release.
One-third of the total population in Bangladesh live in urban areas and accounts for the middle class, which have increased the need for food products with quality control assurance at every stage of production, distribution, processing and marketing.
Dr Bari, on the other hand, expressed worry about microbiological and chemical contamination, intentional and unintentional food adulteration, and unsanitary practices in agricultural commodities and processed foods.
He also underlined the importance of risk analysis based on food control programs, food safety awareness, capacity building for food analysis, and ICT-based food safety surveillance in Bangladesh, based on his 18-year academic and research experience in Japan.
To tackle this situation, with the assistance of Japanese experts, food safety management and administration will be strengthened. Evidence-based food safety monitoring and supervisory system for Food Business Operators (FBOs) will be constructed.
Food testing and laboratory collaboration system will be strengthened. BFSA and food business operators (FBOs) are the direct beneficiary of this project and accordingly every citizen of this country will benefit from the project.
The Vision 2041 aims to end absolute poverty and graduate into higher middle-income status by 2031 and eradicate poverty on the way to becoming a developed nation by 2041.
Thus, JICA continues supporting the government of Bangladesh to strengthen the Food Safety Administration for further qualitative growth with the healthy citizen of Bangladesh.