Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday inspected a mobile laboratory van set up to test food samples as part of efforts to ensure food safety and strengthen anti-adulteration drives across the country.

The Prime Minister inspected the mobile laboratory before entering his office at the Secretariat in the morning.

He went inside the van, parked beneath the Prime Minister’s Office at the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat, and observed the procedures for collecting and testing food samples. 

Relevant officials briefed him on the laboratory’s operations.

The officials informed the Prime Minister that food sample testing and monitoring activities had been strengthened as part of anti-adulteration drives in all 64 districts. Mobile laboratories are being used to carry out these activities.

At present, food sample testing and monitoring are being conducted through mobile laboratories in eight metropolitan areas. There are plans to expand the programme gradually to all 64 districts.

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

Under the authority’s capacity enhancement project for the 2026-27 fiscal year, the procurement of 72 mobile laboratory vans is under way.

The vans also have special arrangements to raise public awareness about food safety. Monitors installed on the outside of the vehicles screen awareness videos on safe food practices.

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