A two-day knowledge-sharing workshop on strengthening Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) at Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) factories concluded in Rajshahi on Monday, marking a significant step toward improving food safety and nutrition outcomes in Bangladesh.
The workshop was organised by the Millers for Nutrition Coalition, powered by TechnoServe, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It was part of ongoing efforts to enhance food fortification systems and improve public health outcomes.
The program reviewed eight months of technical support provided to FRK industries from September 2025 to April 2026, focusing on strengthening food safety management systems, improving compliance with international standards such as HACCP and ISO 22000, and enhancing overall product quality and safety.
The workshop began on Sunday at the Rural Development Academy in Bogra with an inaugural session attended by Md Zahirul Islam Khan, Director (SDM), DG Food, as chief guest.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the rice fortification program and emphasised the importance of ensuring a consistent supply of quality FRK. He also said the government is planning to make food safety system certification mandatory in the procurement process for FRK in the future.
Md Guljer Ahmmed, country program manager of TechnoServe, delivered the welcome address, highlighting progress in strengthening Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and advancing HACCP implementation.
Technical sessions led by Md Nayem Zobayer, senior food fortification specialist at TechnoServe, and Md Mahade Hassan, consultant for FSMS at TechnoServe, presented a comparative “before and after” analysis, demonstrating improvements in factory standards and food safety practices.
The workshop also included practical learning components. Participants visited Ruposhi Rice Flour & Pusti Mill on the first day and Kamal Auto Rice Mill on the second day, where they observed standardised production processes, quality control measures and improved premix handling practices.
Participants expressed appreciation for the technical support received.
Managing Director of Kamal Auto Rice Mill Md Kamal Uddin said the intervention significantly improved compliance, product quality and food safety practices, while emphasising the importance of continued support to sustain progress.
Md Anwar Hossain, proprietor of Anwar Fortified Industry, said, “FSMS support has significantly improved our operations, ensuring better compliance, efficiency and product quality.”
Despite notable achievements, several challenges were identified, including gaps in documentation and record-keeping, limited infrastructure, inconsistent premix handling and weak internal audit systems.
Discussions highlighted the need for stronger management commitment, enhanced technical capacity and a culture of food safety within the industry.
The workshop concluded with a closing ceremony in Rajshahi, where Md Afif-Al-Mahmud Bhuiyan, Deputy Director (SDM), DG Food, attended as chief guest.
Special guests from development partners, including Dr Mohammad Mahbobor Rahman of World Food program and Engr Md Akib Abrar of Nutrition International, stressed the need to transition from short-term technical assistance to long-term sustainable industry practices.
The workshop brought together representatives from 13 major FRK industries, who reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening FSMS and ensuring the production of safe, high-quality fortified rice for the people of Bangladesh.