Ensuring proper measurement of food ingredients is vital for maintaining food safety as millions of people suffer from illness by eating contaminated and adulterated foods every year.
Hazardous food has been adjudged as a major threat to public health in the present context, so emphasis should be given on adopting effective measures in this regard.
These views were expressed at a discussion by educationists and experts who urged all concerned to discharge their duties with utmost sincerity and honesty in this regard.
Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institutions (BSTI) at their regional office arranged a seminar at a restaurant in Rajshahi to observe the World Metrology Day-2019.
“International System of Unit- Fundamentally Better” was the main theme of the day.
The main objective of World Metrology Day is to raise public awareness about the importance of measurements in their daily life.
Dr Ariful Islam Nahid, Chairman of Department of Applied Physics and Electronics Engineering of Rajshahi University and Syed Mustaque Hassan spoke on the occasion as chief and special guest respectively while BSTI Regional Deputy Director Khairul Islam presided the meeting.
Regional Director of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Dr Md Ibrahim, Director of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industries Sadrul Islam and Dr Monirul Haque shared their expertise on the issue as resource persons.
Dr Nahid stressed the need for proper enforcement of the consumers’ rights protection act for protecting the consumer’s right as most of the consumers feel insecure especially in the retail markets and are deprived of proper measurement.
He called for state control over the market for making it free from all sorts of manipulation, distortion, harassment and deception along with ensuring a healthy atmosphere in the market place.
Consumers’ rights in the developed nations focus on the right to information, choice, redress and representation, but we are deprived of such privileges, he added.
Dr Nahid said development cannot be attained and confidence can never be created without right measurements as it builds reliability and confidence among the public in general.
During his keynote presentation, Engineer Zunaid Ahmed, Field Officer (CM Wing) of BSTI, highlighted the importance of metrology, the science of measurement, in scientific inventions, newer discoveries, and international trade and commerce.
