Rising disease burden, regulatory gaps and institutional accountability put food safety back at the centre of public concern
Mahbub Kabir Milon
Former Additional Secretary, Government of Bangladesh
Dhaka | June 15, 2026
From personal loss to public question: can one voice trigger systemic change?
A former senior Bangladeshi bureaucrat has reignited debate on food safety, framing it not only as a public health issue but as a systemic governance challenge.
Mahbub Kabir Milon says his call for a structured “safe food movement” stems from personal tragedy—losing four close relatives to cancer and witnessing another recent diagnosis within his family.
His central question is stark: when a former bureaucrat alleges that “one of the main obstacles to food safety is government officials themselves”, can reform realistically emerge from within the same system?
A rising disease burden and the food safety link
In his public post, Milon highlights what he describes as a worsening public health crisis in Bangladesh.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Bangladesh recorded 167,256 new cancer cases in 2022, with 116,598 deaths, accounting for nearly 12% of total national mortality. He also points to an estimated 11% increase in cases over four years.
Diabetes trends are equally alarming. Data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) suggests the number of diabetic patients in Bangladesh rose from 1.8 million in 2000 to 13.9 million in 2024—nearly an eightfold increase. Diabetes-related deaths in 2024 are estimated at over 31,000.
While experts caution that cancer and diabetes are multi-factorial diseases involving genetics, lifestyle and environmental exposure, public health researchers have long identified food contamination, pesticide residues, heavy metals and polluted water as significant risk factors.
BSTI’s draft water standards: progress, but incomplete
Milon acknowledges recent efforts by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) to draft updated standards for potable water.
He describes the move as a positive step toward strengthening safety parameters. However, he argues that key contaminants such as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), pesticide residues and microplastics are still absent from the draft framework.
In his view, this leaves the standard “halfway developed” in terms of modern global safety expectations.
Right to Information requests highlight institutional gaps
The former bureaucrat also reports filing Right to Information (RTI) requests with multiple government bodies, including the Department of Agricultural Extension, BSTI, the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), and the Department of Fisheries and Livestock.
He says responses have only been received from two institutions so far, while others remain pending.
For him, the delay itself raises broader questions about institutional transparency and the state’s prioritisation of food safety governance.
The scale of the health crisis at a glance
| Indicator | Figure |
|---|---|
| New cancer cases (2022) | 167,256 |
| Cancer deaths (2022) | 116,598 |
| Cancer share of total deaths | ~12% |
| Increase in cancer cases (4 years) | ~11% |
| Diabetes cases (2000) | 1.8 million |
| Diabetes cases (2024) | 13.9 million |
| Projected (2050) | 23.1 million |
| Diabetes-related deaths (2024) | ~31,619 |
Sources: IARC, International Diabetes Federation (IDF), ICDDR,B, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)
Counterarguments and policy reality
“Food safety institutions already exist”
Bangladesh has had a dedicated food safety authority since 2015, alongside BSTI and other regulatory bodies. Officials argue that legal and institutional frameworks are already in place.
However, critics point to continued reports of pesticide-laced vegetables, formalin-treated fish and concerns over water quality, suggesting a persistent gap between regulation and enforcement.
“Can one former official drive change?”
Milon himself acknowledges that he could have left the country but chose not to. He frames his effort as an appeal for knowledge-sharing rather than confrontation.
Still, a central question remains: can an individual voice meaningfully shift deeply embedded structural and commercial interests in the food sector?
“Are BSTI reforms sufficient?”
While acknowledging progress, Milon argues that earlier standards lacked comprehensive safety parameters. He views current reforms as necessary but still incomplete in addressing emerging global contaminants.
Food safety in everyday life
For consumers, food safety is not an abstract policy debate but a daily uncertainty.
- Markets: Limited transparency on pesticide use and contamination levels in produce
- Schools: Inconsistent testing of food served to children
- Bottled water: Public concerns over quality and verification gaps
Milon argues that food safety is no longer only a health issue, but one tied to productivity, human capital and long-term national development.
Possible futures: reform, resistance or mobilisation
Milon says he has sought a meeting with the Prime Minister and is awaiting a response.
He outlines three possible trajectories:
| Scenario | Description |
|---|---|
| Reform-driven | Government responds positively; BSTI and BFSA undergo structural strengthening |
| Resistance | Entrenched interests push back against reform efforts |
| Civic mobilisation | Citizens, students and organisations form a broader food safety movement |
In the long term, he argues that meaningful change would require collaboration between reform-minded officials and civil society actors.
Facts versus opinion
- Verified data: Cancer and diabetes statistics are drawn from IARC, IDF and national health datasets
- Opinion: Claims regarding internal bureaucratic resistance to food safety enforcement
- Unverified pending data: RTI responses from several government agencies
Conclusion: a solitary voice or the beginning of something larger?
Milon describes his campaign as a continuation of a deeply personal struggle shaped by repeated family losses to cancer.
Whether his call resonates beyond social media remains uncertain.
But the underlying question persists: can food safety reform in Bangladesh be driven by institutional action alone, or does it require sustained civic pressure?
If his message remains isolated, he argues, that itself would represent a collective failure.
“Unless citizens act together, systemic barriers will remain intact,” he warns.
Author bio: Mahbub Kabir Milon is a former Additional Secretary of the Government of Bangladesh. He has been writing on food safety, consumer rights and public health across various platforms for several years.
⚠️ This is the author’s personal analysis and opinion. It does not represent the official editorial position of TODAY TV BD.
References: IARC, International Diabetes Federation (IDF), ICDDR,B, DGHS, BSTI, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA).
