Prof. Dr. A. B. M Abdullah
Prof. Dr. A. B. M Abdullah, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, BSMMU : A wide variation of foods are prepared and sold targeting the month of Ramadan. Shopkeepers settle on with these foods in the market, on the streets and even on the footpaths.
Question is if these eye-appetizing foods were made in a healthy manner.
Concerns should be present on the use of adulterated oil and artificial colors. The oil used for frying should not be used more than once because it produces polynuclear hydrocarbon resulting a Benzo A Pyrene cancer.
Moreover, there is a possibility of abdominal cramps if the Iftar is made in an unhygienic way. It is important to avoid street foods in order to live a healthy life. Sadly, there are very few fruits which are not adulterated.
There can also be found many street vendors serving serbets. We need to know if the water used to make these are pure. Almost all the foods made for Iftar contain high fat and they are oily. This is because of the poor oil quality and the unhygienic measures followed to prepare these foods.
A Rozadar’s Iftar menu should depend on his health condition and age. What is better is not to take Iftar and Sahri from outside.