Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government should declare a war against adulteration of food, the High Court said today.

If necessary, an emergency may be declared to prevent food adulteration, the court said in its observation while passing an order against adulterated food.

It said, this is not an issue to compromise with and should be considered as the number one priority of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her government and her party Awami League.

The HC said that the officials concerned of the government should have patriotism and love for the people while discharging their duties so that substandard food products cannot be supplied among the masses.

There should not be any compromise and tolerance regarding food safety, the court said.

The drive against adulteration of food should not be limited in the month of Ramadan, rather it should continue throughout the year, it said.

The court also requested the government to ensure that pure drinking water is supplied to people.

CCS filed the writ petition on May 9, seeking necessary order on the government to seize or withdraw the substandard foods from the market from all over the country, as it did not get any reply to a legal notice served on the authorities concerned on May 6.

The court fixed May 23 for passing further order on this issue.