Around 50 lakh people of the country are becoming poorer every year as they have to spend a major part of their income on medical treatment, experts said on Tuesday. They opined that various types of diseases are found among consumers because of taking adulterated and contaminated food grains which are widely available in the kitchen, grocery and super shops across the country. They also observed that people get sick after taking chemically treated vegetables, fruits, fish and even baby foods. There is hardly any food item--fish, milk, fruit or vegetable—that has not been poisoned by mixing toxic substances like formaldehyde (popularly known as formalin), pesticides and other harmful preservatives. The experts came up with these observations while addressing a seminar on “Adulteration free safe food: A way out” organised jointly by Public Health Foundation of Bangladesh, RDRS Bangladesh and Dhaka University Rover Scout group in the capital. Dr Mizanur Rahman, chairman of National Human Rights Commission, was present at the seminar as chief guest while Dhaka University Vice-chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique presided over the programme. Prof ABM Faroque, a noted pharmacologist of Dhaka University, was also present. Prof M Muzaherul Huq, former regional adviser of World Health Organisation (WHO), presented his keynote paper in the light of the country’s present scenario of food adulteration and contamination. He said maximum food items, including fish, milk, fruits and vegetables, are widely adulterated by mixing some toxic chemicals, posing serious threat to public health. “Food adulteration is silently killing the whole nation with slow poisoning because people are taking chemically-treated food items unknowingly, which develop many diseases in human cells, including cancer and kidney complications,” Prof Muzaherul added. In his speech, Dr Mizanur Rahman said the state has responsibility for ensuring safe food for its people but reality is that food adulteration is increasing in the country for not taking legal action against the dishonest traders. He laid emphasis on special drive against producers and big traders who are involved in mixing some toxic chemicals in food items to make more profit. “Around 100 tonnes of formalin are required for country’s medical, industrial and other purposes but 700 tonnes of formalin are coming to the country. Extra 600 tonnes of formalin are being used for food preservation and contamination. People fall sick after taking formalin-treated food items,” he added. He urged the authority concerned to stop importing extra formalin for the sake of public health. Prof ABM Faroque said the number of cancer patients is rising in the country because of food adulteration and contamination. “The government and NGOs should address the issue with holistic approach, otherwise in future we may get a morbid generation,” he added. Dr Subimol Singh Chowdhury, director of Institute of Public Health, Dr Selima Rahman, Executive Director of RDRS Bangladesh, and Prof Ramjul Haque, chief Rover Scout leader of Dhaka University, among others, were also present at the seminar. - See more at: http://www.daily-sun.com/details_5m-people-become-poorer-every-year_917_1_1_1_5.html#sthash.f4XQodLH.dpuf