Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the government will set up a specialised laboratory in the country to check food adulteration.

‘A specialised laboratory for food testing is urgently needed and we’ll set up that lab,’ she said, reports the UNB.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing a programme marking the National Food Safety Day 2019 at Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh (KIB)

The theme of the day this year is ‘Sustho-Sabol Jati Chai, Pushtisommoto Nirapod Khadder Bikolpo Nai’ (Need a Healthy Nation, There is no Alternative to Nutritious, Safe Food).

Sheikh Hasina said there will be a central laboratory for food testing while its branches will be established in all divisions of the country. ‘So that we can test any food at any place at once whether there’s anything harmful and adulteration in the food or not.’

The Prime Minister put emphasis on the awareness of people about adulteration of food.

‘If people remain aware about food adulteration, no one will be able to cheat on them’ she said.

Hasina said the government will do whatever is needed to stop food adulteration.

Agriculture Minister Dr. Md. Abdur Razzaque, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder and Bangladesh Food Safety Authority chairman Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque also spoke at the programme, chaired by Food secretary Sahabuddin Ahmed.

The Prime Minister also distributed prizes among the winners of essay competition marking the day and formally inaugurated the National Food Safety Day Fair.