United News of Bangladesh

Despite regulations to control harmful trans fatty acids in food the overall market situation remains alarming, said the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA).  It raised the concern at a seminar titled “Harmful Effects of Used Cooking Oil on Human Health and the Environment” held on Monday at the BFSA seminar room. The awareness seminar was jointly organised by BFSA and Munzer Bangla Private Limited. BFSA Chairman Anwarul Islam Sarkar and Martin Shestag, Project Manager (South Asia) of Munzer Bioindustrie GmbH, were present at the event. According to BFSA, analysis of edible oil samples collected across the country in FY 2024–25 revealed widespread non-compliance with safety standards. Test results showed that 7 out of 11 soybean oil samples (63%), 93 out of 95 dalda samples (97%), 26 out of 30 butter samples (86%), and 6 out of 14 margarine samples (42%) contained trans fatty acids above the permissible limit. The authority said that under the Trans Fatty Acid Control Regulations 2021, the maximum allowable limit of trans fat is 2 percent (excluding naturally occurring trans fat), effective from December 31, 2022. The regulation applies to all processed, packaged and prepared foods, and products cannot be labelled as ‘trans fat-free” or “zero trans fat’. BFSA officials said inspections in hotels and restaurants frequently detect irregularities, particularly the repeated use of burnt cooking oil, which poses serious health risks. As part of its ongoing efforts, BFSA collects used cooking oil from restaurants and conducts awareness campaigns through bulk SMS, posters and TV scroll messages, urging traders and consumers to avoid repeated use of cooking oil. The authority follows internationally recognised testing methods for detecting trans fatty acids, including those approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) and International Dairy Federation (IDF). However, BFSA acknowledged several challenges, including limited laboratory capacity, shortage of skilled manpower, lack of chemical reagents and low public awareness. In its presentation, Munzer Bioindustrie GmbH said cooking oil becomes hazardous when repeatedly heated at 180–200°C, leading to chemical changes that produce toxic compounds linked to heart disease, cancer and other chronic illnesses. In Bangladesh, trans fat is mainly produced through two common practices: the use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHO), locally known as dalda or vanaspati, and the repeated reuse of cooking oil. Another study revealed that PHO used in bakeries and restaurants can contain more than 10 percent trans fat, far above the WHO-recommended limit of 2 percent. The presentation also noted that economic incentives drive many street food vendors and small traders to reuse cooking oil multiple times, degrading its quality and increasing toxic compound formation. More than 100,000 tonnes of used cooking oil are generated annually, much of which re-enters the food chain illegally, posing a major public health risk. Experts also highlighted household-level concerns, noting that used oil is often reused excessively, mixed with fresh oil, or disposed of through sinks and drains, contributing to environmental pollution and drainage blockages. “Health does not begin in hospitals but in everyday life—especially in the kitchen,” said Ewald-Markus Munzer, Managing Director of Munzer. Highlighting ongoing efforts, BFSA Deputy Director Ruhul Amin said the agency is expanding monitoring and awareness activities to control misuse of used cooking oil and improve food safety standards. “During the last Ramadan, BFSA conducted 720 monitoring drives, inspecting different shops, hotels and restaurants. In many cases, business owners cooperated with us,” he said. “We informed them how used oil can be properly disposed of, its optimal use, and that they can also receive financial benefits in return,” he added. According to data presented at the event, Munzer Bioindustrie GmbH collects around 16 metric tonnes of used cooking oil annually. However, between April and June 2023 alone, the company collected about 85 metric tonnes of burnt oil. Officials said hotels and restaurants across the country have the potential to supply at least 100 metric tonnes of used oil, indicating significant opportunities for proper collection and recycling. “To utilise this opportunity, we have brought together business owners, students and relevant stakeholders. Our goal is to raise awareness and build an effective supply chain so that used oil can be collected and reused properly,” a speaker said. BFSA Member (Food Industry and Production) Professor Mohammad Shoeb also spoke at the event.

The United States has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), removing itself as one of the UN agency’s largest donors and a key participant in global health initiatives. The decision stems from an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump a year ago, after he repeatedly criticised the WHO for being overly “China-centric” during the Covid-19 pandemic. The US Department of Health and Human Services said the withdrawal was due to the WHO’s alleged mishandling of the pandemic, its inability to implement meaningful reforms, and political influence from certain member states. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus rejected the US claims, saying the withdrawal is a “loss for both the United States and the world.” The organisation highlighted its global contributions, including efforts to eradicate polio, combat HIV and AIDS, reduce maternal mortality, and enforce its international treaty on tobacco control. Following the pandemic, WHO member states worked on an international pandemic treaty to ensure fair sharing of vaccines and treatments and strengthen preparedness for future outbreaks. The treaty, finalised in April 2025, was agreed upon by all member states except the US. Traditionally, the United States has been one of the largest financial contributors to the WHO, but Washington did not pay its membership fees for 2024 and 2025, causing significant job losses within the organisation. While WHO lawyers maintain that the US is obliged to pay the arrears—estimated at $260 million—Washington has refused, stating there is no reason to do so. As part of the withdrawal, all US government funding to the WHO has been terminated, US personnel and contractors recalled from Geneva headquarters and offices worldwide, and hundreds of engagements with the agency have been suspended or discontinued. US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a joint statement that the WHO “tarnished and trashed everything that America has done for it” and “abandoned its core mission,” acting against US interests. They added that future US engagement with the WHO will be limited strictly to safeguard the health and safety of Americans. Officials noted that the US will continue disease surveillance and pathogen-sharing programs through bilateral relationships with other countries, but they did not specify which countries or partnerships have been established so far. In response to questions about US participation in global health initiatives like polio and HIV programmes, officials said partnerships would continue through NGOs and faith-based groups, though no specific arrangements have been disclosed. US engagement in global flu vaccine development and information-sharing remains uncertain. After Trump signed the withdrawal order at the start of his second term, the WHO expressed hope that the US would reconsider, stating that “the WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats.” The agency said reconsideration would serve the “health and well-being of millions worldwide.” The WHO confirmed on Friday that the US withdrawal would be discussed during its upcoming board meeting scheduled from February 2-7. Its secretariat said it will act according to the guidance provided by its governing bodies. The US exit could remove nearly one-fifth of the WHO’s budget. The defunding and withdrawal come amid criticism of pandemic responses worldwide, including in highly developed countries like the US and the UK, where delays in imposing lockdowns and mask mandates contributed to rapid virus spread. Drew Altman, former US public health official, said the federal government’s inconsistent Covid-19 guidance, politicisation of policy, and failure to implement nationwide preventive measures contributed to one of the highest death rates in the world. A 2020 study in the British Medical Journal accused the Trump administration of failing to provide national guidance and allowing state-level responses to diverge along political lines. Another research paper published in the UN National Library of Medicine labelled the US federal response as “slow and mismanaged.” The US withdrawal marks a significant moment for global health governance, highlighting tensions between national interests and multilateral cooperation in pandemic preparedness and response.   With inputs from BBC

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked fourth among the world’s most polluted cities on Thursday morning (January 22, 2026), recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 240 at 9:23 am. Today, the city’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, indicating a serious health threat, according to the AQI report. Read more: Bicycling could cut emissions in Global South with policy support: Study Lahore in Pakistan, Delhi in India, and Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina occupied the first, second, and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 368, 317, and 265 respectively. According to the AQI scale, a reading between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, with generally acceptable air quality, though sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. AQI levels of 101–150 are ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151–200 is ‘unhealthy’, 201–300 is ‘very unhealthy’, and readings above 301 are considered ‘hazardous’, posing severe health risks. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka's air quality remains ‘very unhealthy’ Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes about seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked second among the world’s most polluted cities on Wednesday morning (January 21, 2026), recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 296 at 9:40 am. Today, the city’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, indicating a serious health threat, according to the AQI report. Read more: How to Reduce Air Pollution in Bangladesh? Lahore in Pakistan, Delhi in India, and Kolkata in India occupied the first, third, and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 324, 293, and 232 respectively. According to the AQI scale, a reading between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, with generally acceptable air quality, though sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. AQI levels of 101–150 are ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151–200 is ‘unhealthy’, 201–300 is ‘very unhealthy’, and readings above 301 are considered ‘hazardous’, posing severe health risks. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka's air quality remains ‘very unhealthy’ Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes about seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked third among the world’s most polluted cities on tuesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 296 at 9:02 am. Today (January 20, 2026), the city’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, indicating a serious health threat, according to the AQI report. Read more: Weather likely to remain unchanged: BMD Lahore in Pakistan, Delhi in India, and Kolkata in India occupied the first, second, and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 558, 450, and 284 respectively. According to the AQI scale, a reading between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, with generally acceptable air quality, though sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. AQI levels of 101–150 are ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151–200 is ‘unhealthy’, 201–300 is ‘very unhealthy’, and readings above 301 are considered ‘hazardous’, posing severe health risks. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season. Read more: Dhaka's air quality remains ‘very unhealthy’ The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes about seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Dhaka ranked third on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 251 at 9:00 am on Tuesday morning (December 02). Dhaka’s air was classified as 'very unhealthy', according to the air quality and pollution city ranking. India's Delhi and Kolkata and Pakistan’s Lahore occupied the first, second and fourth spots in the list, with AQI scores of 396, 269 and 200, respectively. Read more: Dhaka’s air quality 7th worst this morning An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy' while 201-300 is 'very unhealthy' and 301-400 is considered 'hazardous', posing severe health risks to residents. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. Read more: How to Reduce Air Pollution in Bangladesh?

Air pollution remains one of the biggest challenges for Bangladesh, with its capital ranked as the 4th most polluted city in the world on Monday morning (December 01, 2025). At 10:10 am, Dhaka’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 215. Pakistan’s Lahore  and India’s Delhi occupied the first and second  spots, with AQI scores of 338 and 288 respectively. Besides, India’s Kolkata is in 3rd position with AQI score 233, according to IQAir. An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered unhealthy, particularly for sensitive groups. Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is classified as very unhealthy, while a reading between 301 and 400 is deemed hazardous, posing serious health risks to residents. Read more: Dhaka's air quality turns `unhealthy for sensitive groups’ AQI — an index for reporting daily air quality — is used by government agencies to inform people how clean or polluted the air in a particular city is, and what associated health effects may be of concern. In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants: Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO₂, CO, SO₂ and Ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution. Its air quality usually becomes unhealthy during winter and improves during the monsoon. A report by the Department of Environment (DoE) and the World Bank pointed out that the three main sources of air pollution in Dhaka “are brick kilns, fumes from vehicles, and dust from construction sites”. With the advent of winter, the city’s air quality deteriorates sharply due to the massive discharge of pollutant particles from construction work, rundown roads, brick kilns and other sources. Read more: How to Reduce Air Pollution in Bangladesh? Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

Dhaka ranked third on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality, with an AQI score of 264 at 9:01 am on Saturday morning (November 29). Dhaka’s air was classified as 'very unhealthy', according to the air quality and pollution city ranking. Egypt’s Cairo, India's Delhi and Uzbekistan’s Tashkent occupied the first, second and fourth spots in the list, with AQI scores of 286, 271 and 252, respectively. Dhaka’s air ranks world’s 2nd most polluted on Friday morning An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy' while 201-300 is 'very unhealthy' and 301-400 is considered 'hazardous', posing severe health risks to residents. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. Read more: How to Reduce Air Pollution in Bangladesh?

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked 16th on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 144 at 9:50 am this morning (November 27, 2025). Today Dhaka’s air was classified as ‘unhealthy’ referring to an alarming threat, according to the AQI index. However the air quality was marked as ‘very unhealthy’ with an AQI score of 205 yesterday.  When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. India’s Delhi, Pakistan’s Lahore and again India’s Kolkata cities respectively occupied the first, second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 493, 226, and 215 respectively. Read more: Adviser Rizwana calls for effective regional action to combat trans-boundary air pollution The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. Read more: Dhaka breaths in ‘very unhealthy’ air this morning

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked fourth on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 205 at 9:50 am this morning (November 26, 2025). Today Dhaka’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’ referring to an alarming threat, according to the AQI index. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. ‘Unhealthy’ air apparently grips Dhaka   India’s Delhi, Kolkata and Pakistan’s Lahore cities respectively occupied the first, second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 254, 223, and 208 respectively. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. Air pollution: 5 ways to protect yourself from poor air quality