Sponsored by expatriate cultural luminary Mushfiqul Arefin and extensively covered by newspapers such as Prothom Alo (North America), the event centered around the intellectually stimulating theme, “Investigating Parabens in Personal Care Products: Safety, Exposure, and Global Perspectives.”

Among the esteemed guests was former President of Bangladesh Canada Association (CBA) Sharif Islam from Winnipeg, Manitoba, alongside Canadian expatriate journalist, educator, and researcher Mukti Juddha Delwar Jahid. Keynote speaker Dr. Mohammad Alam, an eminent agriculturist, led the discourse, joined by Moazzem Hossain, general secretary of the charity "The Step to Humanity" Association, Bangladeshi educationist Dr. Amyo Rushdi Saif, as well as Moshiur Rahman Bappi, Rifat Rahman, Hira Mia, and other dignitaries.

Dr. Muhammad Alam raised pertinent safety concerns regarding parabens, citing potential correlations with a spectrum of health issues ranging from hormone disruption to reproductive disorders and cancer. Stressing the importance of heightened health awareness, he advocated for proactive measures to mitigate these risks.

Moazzem Hossain provided crucial insights into the ongoing debate surrounding the acceptable thresholds of paraben exposure, underscoring the necessity for further validation to ensure that existing exposure levels remain within safe bounds.

Sharif Islam underscored the significance of exploring feasible alternatives to parabens and endorsed strategies to encourage consumers to embrace paraben-free products.

The discussion highlighted the importance of comprehensive research examining total paraben exposure and its health ramifications across diverse demographics. Additionally, it emphasized the need for a robust regulatory framework in Bangladesh and globally to address the issue effectively.

Delwar Jahid highlighted discrepancies in consumer protection measures and advocated for stricter regulations to enforce permissible limits on paraben concentration. He urged policymakers, industry stakeholders, and consumers to prioritize ongoing research, regulatory initiatives, and consumer education endeavors.

The discourse shed light on the intricate landscape surrounding parabens, urging concerted action to safeguard public health and enhance consumer safety.

[Image Caption: Participants Engaged in Thought-Provoking Discussion]