Harmful chemicals were found in 47 food items among 405 items tested by the Institute of Public Health (IPH) in their laboratory.
IPH inspectors have conducted the tests from November 2015 to June 2016. The samples were taken at the production level and from the retailers. IPH officials revealed the test results at a programme in IPH auditorium on Sunday.
National Food Safety Laboratory chief Fahmida Ferdousi said they found organochlorine in the specimens of dry fish, formalin in mango, grape and date. The researchers have also found urea in puffed rice, Sudan Red in capsicum powder, and aflatoxin in turmeric powder which are harmful for human body.
“We have conducted such tests for the first time with government fund. The tests will run in a regular basis from now on,” IPH director A B M Zafrullah said.
