High level of germs in street foods
Mouthwatering street foods like Fuchka, Bhelpuri, Jhaalmuri and different types of pickles contain a high level of germs, reveals a recent report.
The National Food Safety Laboratory (NFSL) of Bangladesh found diarrhoea, jaundice and typhoid germs in these foods sold in front of schools in Dhaka city.
The NFSL director professor Shahnila Ferdousi presented the report at the Institute of Public Health auditorium on Saturday.
She said the NFSL collected samples from street food shops in front of primary, and secondary schools and colleges of Dhaka's 48 out of 50 upazilas.
Of 46 Jhaalmuri, 30 Fuchka, 16 Bhelpuri, and 42 pickle samples, almost all of them showed a high level of harmful coliform, yeast mould, and E. coli.
Citing the risk of consuming these foods, professor ABM Faruk of Dhaka University told Prothom Alo that E.coli is dangerous enough to cause diarrhoea and infection of the urethra. Salmonella causes typhoid while expired food ingredients generate Mycotoxin and can cause acute diarrhoea.
Professor ABM Abdullah of the medicine department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College said that along with severe abdominal pain these chemicals can dissolve into the blood that can stunt the growth of children.
Parents got anxious after the NFSL report was published.
“We have tried several times to close these food stalls. They go away for a few days and again come back. Police should take necessary action against these stalls,” said Principal Shahan Ara Begum of Motijheel Ideal School and College.
NFSL collected the samples in March and April this year and tested them in their laboratory.
They published the report and announced it on Saturday at the Institute of Public Health auditorium.
The director of the institute presided at the programme where the senior national advisor of the World Food Organisation Shah Monir Hossain, and the chairman of Shwadhinata Chikitshok Porishad professor M Iqbal attended the programme.
Apart from street foods, the NFSL also tested 410 different brands of noodles, mustard and soybean oil, semai, vegetables and more.