Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) yesterday demanded that the government increase drives against the sale and marketing of adulterated food and drinks tainted with harmful chemicals and formalin.

Organising a seminar, "Awareness of buyers and sellers on safe food and drinks during Ramadan", in the capital's Mukti Bhaban, the environmental organisation also demanded an independent commission and high-tech labs around the country to maintain food quality.

Chairing the seminar, Bapa Vice President Kazi Salahuddin Ahmed claimed that Bangladesh was the only country where people were worried about food quality for some unscrupulous businessmen and organisations, said a press release.

All, from children to the elderly, are now at risk, he said, urging unity to resist the malpractice.

Zahedur Rahman, Bapa safe food and drinks and consumer rights programme member secretary, said food security and quality were both equally important.The sale of low quality and adulterated food and use of excessive amounts of pesticides on vegetables and of inedible colours in processed food was ongoing year round, he said.

Such food may cause cancer, cholera, jaundice, liver cirrhosis and different heart, kidney, skin and gastric diseases, he said.

A doctor, Md Abdus Sattar Mia, stressed the need to raise awareness on safe food, including through introducing relevant topics in school curriculums.