Interim Food Advisor Ali Imam Majumder stated that while rice prices have slightly increased during the peak season, claims of a significant surge are exaggerated. Speaking after a food security seminar in Dhaka, he confirmed the government is closely monitoring the market to prevent further hikes. He also announced a Japan-assisted loan deal to build a modern food testing lab in Dhaka, with additional advanced facilities in Khulna and Chattogram under BFSA to ensure food safety and accelerate quality control processes.