Dhaka, Oct. 22 -- Food adulteration in Bangladesh has evolved into one of the country's most alarming public health and governance crises-an issue that cuts across class lines but disproportionately punishes the poor. It is no longer just a question of hygiene or regulation; it has become a sociological symptom of deeper structural inequalities, economic desperation, and state incapacity.

Recent data from 2024-2025 paint a disturbing picture: the deliberate contamination of food with toxic chemicals is pervasive, and systemic across markets. From formalin in fish and fruits to textile dyes in turmeric and mustard oil, the nation's food supply chain has become an arena where profit is prioritised over human life. The problem of food adult...