Rajshahi, Oct 02 (V7N) – Concerns have been raised over food safety in Rajshahi city as chicken chap, naan and other prepared foods are being cooked and sold in open areas exposed to road dust and dirt.

A visit to several parts of the city found restaurants and food shops, including well-known establishments, cooking chicken chap on large open griddles placed near roads. Dust from passing vehicles was seen blowing toward the cooking areas, while naan and other ready-to-eat foods were also kept uncovered at some shops.

The lack of protective covering over food has raised concerns about possible contamination from dust, dirt and other pollutants.

Several shop owners and employees said they do not always cover the food because customers prefer to see the items while they are being prepared or displayed. They claimed that covering the food could affect sales.

Food safety experts and concerned residents, however, said prepared food should be protected from dust, dirt and other contaminants, particularly when it is cooked or displayed beside busy roads.

Some residents suggested installing transparent glass or other protective coverings around cooking and food-display areas. They said such measures would allow customers to see the food while reducing its exposure to dust and dirt.

Although similar conditions have reportedly been observed at food shops in different parts of the city for a long time, residents have questioned whether regular monitoring and enforcement are adequate. They called for increased inspections by the Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection and other relevant authorities.

Bipul Biswas, assistant director of the Rajshahi office of the Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection, said regular drives were being conducted at hotels and food shops across the city and that fines were imposed for violations.

He said several hotels in the Laxmipur and Saheb Bazar areas had been inspected and warned in previous drives. According to him, some establishments complied with the rules for a few days but later resumed serving food in unhygienic conditions.

“Another drive will be conducted in these areas within the next couple of days,” he said.

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