A workshop titled 'Large-Scale Food Fortification in Bangladesh' was held at the Faculty of Agriculture Conference Room, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). Photo: BSS

MYMENSINGH, Aug 13, 2025 (BSS) - A workshop on 'Large-Scale Food Fortification in Bangladesh' was jointly organized today by the Professor Muhammad Hossain Central Laboratory (PMHCL) of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).

The event was held at 11 am in the Faculty of Agriculture Conference Room at BAU.

Presided over by Professor Dr. Md. Amir Hossain, Director of the PMHCL, the workshop was attended by BAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A.K. Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan as the chief guest.

In his speech, the chief guest said that BAU is prepared to work jointly with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) to enhance food security on a large scale and expand cooperation among stakeholders in Bangladesh. 

"I believe this initiative will play a special role in building a healthy nation," he added.

Dr. Md. Harunur Rashid, Director of the SAARC agriculture Centre, and Dr. Rudaba Khondker, Country Director of GAIN Bangladesh were present as special guests.

At the workshop, Professor Dr. Mohammad Shoeb, Member of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, presented the keynote paper titled 'Large-Scale Food Fortification in Bangladesh and Expansion of Cooperation among Stakeholders'. 

Another paper titled 'Food Fortification Management in Other Countries' was presented by Md. Abul Bashar Chowdhury, Project Manager at GAIN.

The welcome address was delivered by Professor Dr. Mohammad Golzarul Aziz of the Department of Food Technology and Rural Industries, while the session was moderated by Professor Dr. Md. Mahmudul Alam, Associate Director of the PMHCL.

The workshop discussed the feasibility study for establishing a food fortification center in Bangladesh as part of the country's national food fortification initiative.

Topics included drafting strategies, implementing food quality control, market monitoring, developing modern food fortification programmes according to national needs, as well as conducting various training sessions and enhancing laboratory facilities.

The workshop also emphasized motivating small and medium-sized entrepreneurs to produce nutrition-enriched food, which would help eliminate malnutrition-related diseases.