The Bengal government plans to establish two food safety laboratories in Terai and Dooars, marking the first such facility in north Bengal to ensure tea quality compliance. The decision follows a meeting led by Labour Minister Moloy Ghatak, with key officials and industry stakeholders discussing tea garden concerns.
A task force, including scientists from the Tea Research Association, will oversee compliance. A recent government notification mandates strict checks on banned pesticides and insecticides in tea gardens.
The West Bengal Tea Directorate, in coordination with the Labour Commissioner, has been directed to enforce regulations, preventing the use, stocking, and sale of tea cultivated with restricted chemicals. Customs officials at border check posts will only permit tea imports with valid clearance reports.