Dr B A Sadiq

There is something about a rainy Dhaka evening that makes a steaming bowl of khichuri feel almost therapeutic.

The modern city rarely pauses. From the first rush of morning traffic to the late-night hum of construction, generators and crowded streets, noise has become the soundtrack of everyday life.

Bangladesh’s vibrant food culture is a feast for the eyes — from rainbow-hued sweets to brightly coloured street snacks. But beneath this colourful charm lies a dangerous truth: much of that colour is not natural at all. The growing use of artificial and industrial dyes in food has become a silent but severe public health crisis, threatening millions of consumers every day.