Perception about Food Adulteration among General Population in Bangladesh: A Cross Sectional Study

Food adulteration is a significant national issue, posing health risks to approximately 57% of people worldwide. In Bangladesh, an estimated 45 million people suffer from food poisoning or food-borne diseases annually. A cross-sectional study was conducted among semi-urban people to assess understanding, attitude, and practice towards food adulteration and raw-food washing. The study found that respondents with well-educated backgrounds had a good understanding of food adulteration, but their understanding did not reflect their practice and perception. They also did not consider factors such as buying place or food quality. The Bangladesh Government's Food Safety Act, 2013 aims to ensure food safety, but consumer awareness is crucial for reducing food adulteration, especially in low-income communities. COVID-19 transmission through the food sector is considered negligible, and tracing SARS CoV-2 is not a priority.