, Aug. 28 -- Some 1.5 million poultry farmers in Bangladesh purchase antibiotics every day without consulting veterinarians - representing 68 percent of total farmers - according to a new study.

The research, conducted across 100 farms in seven districts under four divisions, examined broiler, Sonali and layer chickens' feed, water, eggs and meat. Another study presented at the event shed light on the harmful but widespread practice of ripening fruits such as mango, banana, papaya and tomato with ethylene spray - a method that is internationally banned.

The findings were unveiled on Thursday at a seminar on research dissemination organised by the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) at its Shahbagh office in the capital.

BFSA Chairm...