The West Bengal government has announced plans to set up two food safety laboratories in the Terai and Dooars regions, marking the first such facilities in North Bengal to ensure tea quality compliance. This decision was taken following a meeting led by State Labour Minister Moloy Ghatak, where key government officials and tea industry stakeholders discussed pressing concerns related to tea gardens.
A dedicated task force, including scientists from the Tea Research Association, will oversee quality compliance measures. This initiative comes in response to a recent government notification mandating strict checks on the presence of banned pesticides and insecticides in tea gardens.
The West Bengal Tea Directorate, working in coordination with the Labour Commissioner, has been directed to enforce regulations preventing the use, stocking, and sale of tea cultivated with restricted chemicals. Furthermore, customs officials at border checkposts will permit tea imports only if they are accompanied by valid clearance reports, ensuring adherence to food safety standards.
With tea being a key economic driver in North Bengal, these laboratories are expected to strengthen the industry’s credibility and protect consumer health by ensuring compliance with stringent safety norms.