Khadda O Pushti Bhabna
Dr. Md. Shahidur Rashid Bhuiyan
Pranto Prokashon

EVER since living organisms, including humans, began inhabiting this earth, food has been an indispensable item for their survival. In the beginning people used to take natural plant and animal parts to meet their daily food requirements. But with the increase of population, demand for food went up tremendously. Nutrition is another factor added to food. At this point, the world is much concerned about ensuring nutritious food supply to people.

In Bangladesh only a limited number of books has been written on food and nutrition. Appreciating the need for an exclusive book on food and nutrition, Dr. Md. Shahidur Rashid Bhuiyan has taken an initiative to produce a work on this subject. The result of his prudent thoughts is now out there. He has succeeded in bringing forth Khadda O Pushti Bhabna. With his long experience as a public agricultural university teacher and researcher in the field of agricultural science plus food related issues, Bhuiyan has discussed basics and applied sides of food and nutrition in seventeen mini segments. The work begins with the chapter,'Khadda-Amader Pushtir Utsha' (Food-the Source of our Nutrition) and ends with 'Nirapod Khadda Bhabna' (Thoughts on Safe Food).

In the last chapter the author has focused on a burning issue of our times --- adulteration of food. He has highlighted the factors responsible for food contamination at the field level due to the irrational use of pesticides and adulteration by unscrupulous businessmen through additions of poisonous substances (e.g. formalin) in agricultural produce. The author offers suggestions in his book about motivating farmers toward clean and scientifically approved farming. At the same time, businessmen involved in such unethical practices of poisoning food items should be given motivational messages to create consciousness about the hazardous effects of food adulteration on human health. In other chapters, matters relating to nutritious foods, fat, vitamins, et cetera, have been discussed. The author has also put emphasis on the need for changing food habits in the chapter 'Proyojon Khadda Obhyash Poriborton' (Change of Food Habits Necessary).

Inclusion of a chart showing the food values of different foods in the appendix has added to the usefulness of the book. This reviewer feels that the book will be of great use to common readers, extension and nutrition workers, academics and students.

Professor M Zahidul Haque teaches in the Department of Agricultural Extension and Information System, SAU, Dhaka