The Bangladesh Society for Safe Food (BSSF) held its sixth National Technical Seminar on Food Safety and Health at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) on 25 October 2026, alongside World Egg Day and World Food Day.
The seminar was held at IUB's auditorium in the Bashundhara Residential Area campus in Dhaka, with IUB as host and CAB International (Cabi) as co-organiser, according to the press release.
Discussions focused on food security, public health, safe food production and the roles of agriculture, fisheries and livestock in building a sustainable food system.
Mohammad Aminur Rashid, minister for agriculture and fisheries and livestock, attended as chief guest, while Professor Dr Daniel W Lund, pro-vice-chancellor of IUB, served as chief patron.
Special guests included Professor Dr Md Amir Hossain, vice-chancellor of Jamalpur Science and Technology University; Md Safiqul Islam, chairman of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority; Dr Md Khaled Kanak, director general of the Department of Fisheries; and Dr Mohammad Enayet-e-Rabbi, director of the Department of Agricultural Extension.
Moshiur Rahman, president of the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council, addressed the programme as the guest of honour.
Professor Dr Md Wakilur Rahman, full-time member of the Bangladesh Accreditation Council, presented the keynote paper on agriculture and food safety.
Professor Dr KHM Nazmul Hussain Nazir, Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, presented the keynote paper on livestock and fisheries.
Experts from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University and CABI contributed to detailed discussions on the papers.
Dr Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, founding president of BSSF and convener of the organising committee, chaired the seminar.
Dr Jebunnahar Khandakar, associate professor of life sciences at IUB, organisational secretary of BSSF and member secretary of the organising committee, delivered the welcome address, and Dr Mohammad Sorwar Jahan, general secretary of BSSF, moderated the programme.
The seminar highlighted the World Egg Day 2026 theme, "Protein that powers and protects," and the World Food Day 2026 theme, "Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow."
These themes underscored eggs' role in nutrition and public health, as well as the importance of innovation in food production, nutrition security and sustainable food systems.
Speakers emphasised safe food production, foodborne disease prevention, nutrition, public health and stronger coordination among the relevant sectors.
Organisers ran a food safety quiz for participants, with prizes awarded to the winners.
Participants also submitted questions, opinions and suggestions about the programme, keynote papers and food safety issues via a WhatsApp number. The committee collected the submissions for review and appropriate follow-up.
BSSF expressed hope that the seminar would strengthen dialogue and cooperation among policymakers, scientists, academics, government and private institutions, food producers and other stakeholders.
It also highlighted the potential for collaboration with IUB and CABI to advance knowledge exchange, research and institutional cooperation on food safety and public health.
Participants unveiled the cover of BSSF's annual publication, Safe Food Digest, and distributed copies.
The programme concluded with the presentation of awards and honours, prayers and a luncheon.