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Safe iftar, safer health

KAUSAR ISLAM AYON
Three features - purity, high prices and the mobile courts drive have defined this year's iftar market, creating a Ramadan atmosphere unlike any the city has seen before.
The ongoing anti-adulteration drive by the mobile courts has dramatically changed the scenario of the food industry in Bangladesh. Consumers are much more aware of the food they are buying, giving priority to purity rather than other factors like price.
“We don't want to eat adulterated food anymore. If the government continues with the drive and we can support them by avoiding impure food, the days are not far away when the food producers will not dare to sell unhygienic food,” said Raihan Khan, a shopper in Dhanmondi buying iftar.
Such attitudes have not only changed the way people shop, but also how sellers market their iftar items.
Bearing in mind public demands, iftar market this year are even wearing a new look, with many businessmen hanging banners at their shops and stalls claiming, “All the items are prepared without using artificial colour and other food additives.” But many say it is only to attract the customers.
“All the shops hanging such banners are not doing so in reality. But there are some shops cordial enough to ensure pure food,' said a fast food shop owner at Satmajid Road.
Although the number is not very high, many iftar shops and food traders have taken measures to ensure pure food. But the public is demanding a more permanent solution from the government.
“The scenario in the food market has improved a bit, but we fear that as soon as the drive comes to an end, the situation will be the same as it was before. We want a permanent solution,' demanded Ripa Karim, a housewife.
In old Dhaka, where a number of traditional iftar shops are located, the look of shops and stalls has changed noticeably to assuage public fears about purity. Many shops are covering their iftar items, while some purveyors can even be seen using gloves.
Although most iftar sellers in the city said they are supplying pure food, the increased number of food adulteration cases in the month of Ramadan does not support their claim.
Of the 2,743 food adulteration cases filed so far by 35 mobile courts, more than forty percent have been filed since the start of Ramadan. The number is increasing everyday, said police sources.
“No matter how long it takes and how many cases there are to be filed, we will continue with the job until we can ensure 100 percent purity,” said Jalal Ahmed, chief Metropolitan Magistrate. The mobile court drive has had another noticeable impact on this year's iftat market: the number of iftar shops has decreased this year, as many traders have given up their business to escape the mobile
court.
The famous caterer Faquruddin Baburchi, at Bailey road, is not selling iftar this year. Although they have hung a banner at the shop that reads 'This year we are not avail-able as the owner is abroad,' one of the workers said this is only to avoid the mobile court.
None of the owners or managers of Faquruddin Baburchi was available to comment.
Despite these changes, the overall iftar business remains as brisk as ever. As always, all roads lead to the iftar market before sundown, with customers jostling to buy iftar despite exorbitant prices, just as in the previous years.
“As we are providing exactly what people are looking for, there is no problem in doing business,” said Gafuruddin, a worker at Garden Oasis at Dhanmondi.
In fact, prices of most of the Iftar items have increased between forty to sixty percent as compared to last year.
“The price of everything has increased every year, but this year the hike is truly unfair and intolerable,” said Riazul Islam, a consumer.