In cooperation with the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Rajshahi, the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) organized a daylong training for street food vendors and dining employees of Rjahshai University. A total of 280 participants received the training in two phases (Morning-Street Food Vendors and Afternoon- Dining Employees). The participants received Safe Food Preparation Aprons after the training. The details of the training are given below:
Welcome Address and Opening Remarks
The training sessions commenced with a warm welcome address by Mr. Chinmay Pramanik, District Food Safety Officer, Rajshahi, and Dr. M. Majedul Islam, Chairman, Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, RU. They highlighted the importance of maintaining high standards of hygiene in food preparation and preservation, especially in a university setting where a large number of students and staff depend on these services. The introductory speeches emphasized the role of education and continuous monitoring in ensuring food safety.
Chief Guest and Special Guest Speeches
Prof. Dr. Md. Sultan-Ul-Islam, Honorable Pro-Vice Chancellor (Admin), RU, delivered the Chief Guest’s speech, underscoring the significance of hygienic practices in food preparation and its impact on public health. He urged the participants to adopt best practices diligently. Dr. M. Humayun Kabir, Honorable Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic), RU, also addressed the audience, stressing the university’s commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance food safety standards. Prof. Md. Abaydur Rahman Pramanik, Honorable Treasurer and Head of Estate Office, RU, delivered a Special Guest’s speech, reinforcing the importance of this training for both street food vendors and dining employees.
Keynote Presentation
Mr. Md. Aslam Udding, Monitoring Officer, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, delivered the keynote presentation, focusing on the fundamental principles of food hygiene and safety. His presentation covered critical areas such as proper food handling, storage techniques, contamination prevention, and personal hygiene practices for food handlers. Visual aids and real-life examples were used to illustrate key points, making the session highly engaging and informative. Mr. Imran Hossain Molla, Monitoring Officer of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority and Dr. Enayet Hossain delivered their valuable insights on keynote presentation.
Training Sessions
The first training session for street food vendors was held from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. This session included interactive demonstrations on hygienic food preparation and preservation techniques. Participants were actively involved in practical exercises that highlighted the importance of cleanliness and the dangers of food contamination. The second session for dining employees took place from 04:00 PM to 06:30 PM. It focused on advanced food safety measures and regulatory compliance, tailored specifically to the needs of institutional food service providers. Both sessions were chaired by Mr. Md. Akhtar Mamun, Honorable Secretary, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), Dhaka, who ensured that all aspects of the training were comprehensively covered.
Closing and Future Directions
The training program concluded with a summary of the day’s key learnings and a Q&A session, where participants had the opportunity to clarify their doubts and seek further guidance. The closing remarks were delivered by Mr. Md. Akhtar Mamun, who expressed his gratitude to all participants and organizers for their dedication and active involvement. He emphasized the need for continuous education and adherence to food safety protocols to safeguard public health. The event successfully highlighted the critical role of hygienic food practices and set a positive precedent for future training programs.