The workshop commenced with introductions led by Professor
Kamal Hossain. He welcomed the honorable Chief Guest, Special Guests, Vice-Chancellor,
guests from the National Heart Foundation (NHF) and other honorable teachers of PSTU and
expected to have a fruitful discussion including all the participants.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor of Patuakhali Science & Technology University (PSTU), Professor Dr.
S. M. Hemayet Jahan greeted colleagues and guests in the seminar titled “Optimal packaging
options for edible oil and addressing low-income consumers” arranged by NHF. He remarked
that such workshops are consistently enlightening. He noted that while the seminar’s specific
direction was not immediately apparent at the outset, the accompanied papers & information
clarified its critical focus on low-income demographics. He pointed out a significant disparity:
while affluent consumers can easily afford properly packaged edible oils, it remains
economically unfeasible for low-income groups. Consequently, these vulnerable populations
often resort to purchasing loose oil from drums, a practice that poses serious health risks.
Moreover, Vitamin “A” is being added to edible oil now-a-days, and vitamin “D” and other fat-
soluble vitamins: such as vitamin “E” and “K” are also being intended to be added with edible
oils. It is known to all that vitamin “A” deficiency causes night blindness and other diseases.
Vitamin “D” deficiency is responsible for several bone diseases and heart diseases as well. All

Page 2 of 2
these things made him think that the aforesaid workshop was intended to discuss all these aspects
of fortification. Then he inaugurated the seminar expecting to conduct a successful workshop.
The Chair of the seminar, Professor Md. Shahidul Islam, Dean, Faculty of Nutrition and Food
Science, Patuakhali Science & Technology University (PSTU) welcomed all and thanked all the
guests from NHF for arranging such an important program in PSTU. He said that rancidity refers
to the fact that when edible oils are kept open, it comes in contact with light and air which causes
bad odors to the edible oil. He also mentioned that almost 67% edible oils are not adequately
fortified in Bangladesh and the similar percentage of edible are sold lose. Consumers will be
benefitted if edible oils are fortified with vitamins “A” and “D” and subsequently sold as
packaged. Then he requested his colleagues to co-operate with the guests from NHF patiently,
thanked everyone and ended his speech.