Health awareness is growing steadily around the world, and with it the importance of safe food has increased many times over. Food is not just something to fill the stomach; it is closely linked to the body's make-up, disease resistance and mental well-being. But contaminated, adulterated and chemical-laced food has become a major obstacle to healthy living. In Bangladesh and many other developing countries, ensuring food safety is now a pressing need, so building the habit of eating safe food and raising awareness are essential for a healthy life.

Food is one of the basic human needs. But it is not only eating that matters; the quality, safety and nutritional value of food determine our health and longevity. In today's fast-changing world, where technology, consumerism and the market economy shape the food system, "safe food" is not just a health matter but a social, ethical and humanitarian question.

Food is an unavoidable note in the rhythm of our lives. The smell of hot rice wakes childhood memories; the sound of frying fish brings back the warmth of a mother's kitchen. Every dish is a story of culture, love and spiritual bonds. But behind this emotional relationship lies a silent worry: is our daily food really safe? In today's markets the shadow of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, formalin and preservatives is long. Unknown dangers lurk in the colour of fruit, the texture of fish and even in baby food. Food is not just taste; it is a question of health, the future and the sustainability of life. Yet we often unknowingly eat food that can harm the body. This conflict, food for the soul against the body's safety, demands our awareness. Food should be not merely a carrier of memories but a symbol of safety, because a healthy life begins with a safe plate.

In Bangladesh and many developing countries, food safety is a complex problem. The use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, formalin, carbide and various harmful substances is making food toxic. Toxic substances are being found in fruit, vegetables, fish and even children's food sold in the market. Such food slowly sows the seeds of disease in our bodies; diabetes, cancer, kidney disease and hormonal problems are all among the results.

Every cell of the body takes energy and nutrients from food. Safe and nutritious food means a healthy body, an active mind and a long life, while contaminated food means disease, weakness and early death. According to the World Health Organization, millions of people fall ill from foodborne diseases every year. The impact is even more severe for children, whose growth, intelligence and disease resistance are reduced.

Not only the government and producers but consumers too have an important role in ensuring safe food. We must be aware of where we buy food, how we store it and how we cook it. At the market we should check food by sight and smell and, where needed, buy from tested sources. For packaged food it is essential to read the label to learn its ingredients, expiry date and production method.

The government should make and enforce strict laws to ensure food safety. Bangladesh has already enacted the Safe Food Act and set up the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority. But laws alone are not enough; effective monitoring, accountability and public awareness are needed. Safety must be ensured at every stage from production to transport, storage and sale.

Farmers are the main makers of food. But under market pressure, in hope of profit or out of ignorance, they often use harmful chemicals. They need training, awareness and incentives. Organic farming, safe fertilisers and environment-friendly production methods must be introduced. If farmers produce safe food, the whole nation will benefit.

In Bengali literature and culture, food has never been just nourishment; it has been a call of the soul, a bond between people and a reflection of society. Rabindranath's writing contains hunger as well as social protest. In Bengali folk tales, songs and plays, food is an important cultural element. Food nourishes not only the body but the mind and society; it is part of our heritage, memory and identity. But today's reality is different. Adulterated, chemical-laden and unhealthy food is doing harm not only physically but culturally. When food is not safe, culture is not safe either, so safe food is essential to protect the life of Bengali literature and culture.

Along with eating safe food, a healthy life needs regular exercise, enough sleep, peace of mind, clean water and social connection. If food is safe, the body will stay healthy; if the body is healthy, the mind will be at peace; and if the mind is at peace, life will be joyful.

Research, movements and technological innovation on safe food are under way around the world. Developed countries including Europe, America and Japan have strict laws and standards on food safety, and we must follow that path too. Safe food can be ensured by combining technology, science and ethics.

Safe food is not just a matter of personal health but a precondition for a nation's overall development. To build a healthy lifestyle, we must be aware of how we choose, store and prepare food. Safe food can be ensured only through the combined efforts of government, producers and consumers. A healthy mind lives in a healthy body, and the foundation of that health is safe food.

So we must bring awareness to our eating habits from today, so that a healthy and safe life can be ensured for future generations. Safe food is not just a health demand; it is a human right and a commitment to the next generation. Individuals, families, society and the state must all come forward.

The writers are Professor Noman Faruk, of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University and a registered trainer with GlobalG.A.P., and Samiran Biswas, an agriculture and environment specialist in Dhaka.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.