PM inspects mobile lab for food safety testing

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today inspected a mobile laboratory van at the Secretariat, observing how food samples are collected and tested to ensure safety.

The Prime Minister inspected the van this morning before entering his office at the Secretariat, said his Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

He entered the mobile laboratory, stationed at the premises of the Prime Minister's Office at the Cabinet Division and observed its testing procedures as officials briefed him on its activities.

Officials informed the prime minister that food sample testing and monitoring had been intensified as part of anti-adulteration drives across the country.

Currently, mobile laboratories are being used to test food samples and monitor food safety in eight metropolitan areas, with plans to gradually expand the operations to all 64 districts.

The activities are conducted through mobile courts led by executive magistrates and separately under the supervision of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority.

The procurement of 72 mobile laboratory vans is underway under a capacity-building project of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority in the current 2026-27 fiscal year.

The vans also feature facilities to raise public awareness of food safety, including exterior monitors that display awareness videos.

Food Minister Afroza Khanam, Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, State Minister for Food Abdul Bari, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar, Public Administration Secretary Quamruzzaman Chowdhury and senior officials of the Food Ministry were present during the inspection.