Adulterated Iftar Poses Health Risks in Narayanganj Metropolis

The second week of the holy month of Ramadan is ongoing. Even before the afternoon, seasonal iftar vendors set up their stalls on the sidewalks.

Due to the high demand for iftar items in Narayanganj city, these street vendors sell various iftar items. However, concerns have been raised about how hygienic these foods are. The district administration has been active in preventing the use of artificial colors and harmful chemicals in iftar, yet their use continues. 

Last year, an anti-adulteration drive was conducted in the city from the very first day of Ramadan. At that time, the Additional District Magistrate of Narayanganj stated, "We have been vocal about this issue since the beginning of Ramadan." In 2023, 20 anti-adulteration operations were conducted in the district, resulting in fines amounting to 190,000 BDT. Such operations are carried out every year. 

Additionally, last year, three teams were deployed daily for market monitoring and anti-adulteration mobile court operations, conducting at least two operations per day. Despite the district administration's efforts during Ramadan, concerns have been raised by experts that food adulteration continues unabated. Nutritionists warn that adulterated iftar items pose severe health risks, including cancer. 

It has been reported that although Ramadan has reached its 11th day this year, no anti-adulteration raids on iftar items have been conducted by the district administration yet. For now, strict market monitoring is being maintained. City residents have demanded mobile court raids against adulterated iftar items, arguing that while they fast with devotion, some vendors are knowingly harming them by using toxic chemicals in iftar items. This, they claim, is leading to severe health problems, including a gradual risk of cancer. 

Last year, after Ramadan began on March 6, leaders of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), Narayanganj district, conducted raids on iftar stalls in Chashara. The monitoring was led by Bilal Hossain Robin, Joint Secretary of CAB, Narayanganj. Present were CAB district committee member Rokonuzzaman Mithu and CAB Narayanganj Sadar Upazila President Dr. Gazi Khairuzzaman, among others. 

Iftar stalls along Nawab Salimullah Road from Chashara to Missionpara—including Sugandha Bakery, Sugandha Restaurant, Sumaiya Biryani, Atel Mati Restaurant, Foodland, Sultan Bhai Restaurant, Sweet Nation, Paris Baguette, and Boishakhi Restaurant—were monitored. Vendors were instructed to keep iftar items covered and to ensure that staff wore caps, masks, and gloves while handling food. Selling open iftar items was strictly prohibited. Additionally, they were warned against selling stale food. Handbills were distributed, outlining potential punishments under the Consumer Rights Protection Act. 

It has been found that among iftar products, sodium hydrosulfide (caustic soda) and sodium cyclamate are used most frequently, particularly in jilapi (sweet fried dough). These chemicals are extremely harmful to human health. Additionally, various artificial food colors are used in iftar products solely to make them appear more attractive and flavorful, making all such food unsafe. 

A field survey of areas such as Chashara, Kalirbazar, Digubabu Bazar, Ukilpara, DIT Market, Launch Terminal, Tanbazar, and Nitaiganj revealed widespread use of artificial colors in items like chicken tikka, seekh kebabs, and jilapi. Containers of these artificial colors and spices were found placed next to grilling stations, where they were repeatedly used on meat. 

This year, near a religious gathering in the Galachipa area, a worker named Mofizul was seen mixing color into jilapi batter as he pleased. When asked, he said, "We always use this color." Similarly, these artificial colors are extensively used in preparing chicken grills at small and large hotels alike. A visit to any iftar market in the city during Ramadan reveals the rampant use of these artificial colors. From the start of Ramadan, excessive oil and spices in meat dishes have been a common sight at iftar markets in areas like No. 2 Railgate, College Road, and Chashara. Many buyers fail to notice these issues, while some knowingly choose to ignore them.