Zaima Ahasan :
Safe, intelligent, and sustainable nutrition – a silent scientific revolution is underway, where science blends with spices and aromas, and every meal becomes a promise of safety, knowledge, and a green future.
Bangladesh is now transforming its food system in a revolutionary way to address the challenges of population growth, urbanization, and climate change. Food Technology-a scientific application-is the driving force behind this transformation, adding new dimensions to food production, preservation, and safety.
Every year in Bangladesh, 30-40% of fruits and vegetables are wasted right after harvesting (FAO, 2022). Meanwhile, micronutrient deficiency among women and children remains alarming. WHO has advised that the problem can be addressed by fortifying food with iron, calcium, and vitamins.
In addition, technologies like High Pressure Processing (HPP), vacuum, and MAP packaging are helping to extend shelf life while maintaining food quality.
Following are the brief examples of food innovation in Bangladesh:
1. Use of vitamin-fortified rice in school feeding programmes. 2. Frozen pre-cooked meat with traceability technology. 3. Emphasis on sustainable sourcing and processing in the production of over a hundred products. 4. Addition of calcium, iodine, and protein to instant noodles. 5. Hygienic drying of mango, fish, and spices using solar tunnel dryers. 6. Reduction of food waste by 60% through improvement of cold chain. 7. Production of nutritious flour from banana peels and jackfruit seeds.
Modern initiatives in agricultural technology and supply chains – using AI, IoT, and satellite data to monitor crops, increase yield, and ensure direct market sales for farmers, maintaining product traceability.
Supply of chemical-free, traceable food products with QR code verification and hygienic packaging.
Connection of farmers directly to retailers through multiple distribution centres, reducing middlemen and cutting nearly 35% of product waste.
Portable soil testing devices and Bengali mobile apps to provide AI-based soil health analysis and fertilizer application recommendations.
Blockchain-based agricultural supply platforms connecting thousands of farmers with consumers, ensuring full supply chain traceability and increasing farmers’ income by up to 10-15%.
Challenges: Only 15% of food establishments meet HACCP or ISO 22000 standards. Less than 10% of perishable foods are transported in proper cold chains. Shortage of skilled professionals, especially in rural areas, hampers innovation.
Under the Food Safety Act 2013, BFSA was established. BSTI sets over 100 food standards. Government-run laboratories are now ensuring food safety through Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GS-MS), Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technology.
Research is underway on lab-grown meat and plant-based proteins – creating sustainable protein sources from lentils, soybeans, and jackfruit. 3D-printed nutritious snacks are being developed for children and medical diets. Blockchain technology is being used for traceability in rice and meat products.
Bangladesh is now on the path of a scientific revolution through the joint journey of food and science. With investment in research, education, and public-private partnerships, the country can become a leader in food technology in South Asia. This will reduce malnutrition, decrease waste, and ensure a safe, nutritious future.
(The author is CEO, Director, Pastry Chef, Bachelor of Pastry Arts, and Taylor’s University, Malaysia – Joint degree holder from University of Toulouse, France).
