Sachchida Nanda Dey Saday, Ashashuni (Satkhira) 

In the fish markets of Ashashuni, many shrimps sold daily are reportedly injected with jelly or chemical substances using syringes. This practice is primarily aimed at increasing the weight of the shrimp to enhance marketability. However, consumption of these adulterated shrimps poses serious health risks to humans.

Experts warn that consuming shrimp injected with jelly-like substances may lead to complications in the kidneys, liver, and stomach. For children, such adulterated seafood may cause long-term nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances. This issue has thus evolved beyond a mere business malpractice and has become a direct public health concern.Ashashuni is one of Bangladesh’s most promising regions for shrimp farming. 

Thousands of farmers and traders depend on this industry for their livelihoods. But this unethical practice is now shaking the confidence of foreign buyers. There have already been instances of export consignments being returned, creating negative impacts on the national economy.Fish trader Amin Uddin stated, “Because of jelly injection, many international buyers now doubt the quality of Bangladeshi shrimp. If this continues, the shrimp export industry could collapse, leaving thousands of families in crisis.”Despite repeated complaints from farmers, consumers, and honest traders to the authorities and the fisheries office, no effective action has been observed. On the contrary, there are allegations that a few corrupt officials within the administration are colluding with those involved in the malpractice.

Shrimp farmer Abdur Razzak shared, “We have demanded action against these culprits, but they seem to be managing the authorities. That's why the same crimes keep recurring.”The absence of regular drives and the failure to take visible actions even after repeated complaints have raised serious questions about the sincerity of local governance.Shrimp is one of Bangladesh’s top export commodities. Yet the inhumane and illegal practice of injecting chemicals into shrimp threatens public health, local economies, and the country's reputation in global markets. 

Without urgent and stringent government intervention, both this industry and public safety will face dire consequences. The time has come to bring the perpetrators to justice and to launch strict operations to eradicate this fraudulent practice.